Mumbai: Despite concerns raised by the Congress, the NCP has decided to offer its hand to the Raj Thackeray-led MNS for an alliance in the forth coming Lok Sabha (LS) polls. The party will convince the Congress to include the MNS in the Opposition alliance, said NCP leaders.

Senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar had advocated the need to join hands with the MNS to divide Opposition votes in the LS polls. In its parliamentary board meeting Thursday, the party decided to join hands with the Raj Thackeray-led party.

“The issue of including the MNS in the grand alliance was discussed in the meeting and it received a positive response from all. However, the final call will be taken after discussing the issue with the Congress,” said Ajit Pawar.

The NCP leader had called upon the MNS chief Wednesday. After the meeting, he had opined that all anti-BJP parties should come together to defeat the Narendra Modi government.

Despite the NCP’s  efforts, the Congress had opposed the entry of the MNS into the Opposition alliance due to the party’s anti-North Indian stand. But if the alliance does take place, the MNS will be given the Kalyan seat, where it has a sizeable following, said party sources.

The NCP and Congress rally is likely to start on February 20.