At the BJP's felicitation rally in Mumbai, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi spoke in chaste Marathi, the language Shiv Sena understands best.
The BJP, which is struggling to keep its alliance with the Sena, more so after Pramod Mahajan's death, needs somebody like Modi, a popular leader who enjoys national appeal.
And who can do it better than the man who won the recent Gujarat elections against all odds.
Elections in Maharashtra are due next year and Modi is being seen as a prospective binding force, one who can blend development politics with a dose of Hindutva if need be.
And when it comes to Congress bashing few can match him.
''After the results of the Gujarat elections were declared, Sonia Gandhi was admitted to hospital. Gujarat prayed for her recovery. A lot happened,'' said Narendra Modi, Chief Minister, Gujarat.
The felicitation rally for Modi was in fact more a show of strength for the party. With over 1.5 lakh people in attendance the BJP's agenda for the assembly elections was clear, to assure the voters that the party can promise and deliver.
''Vilasrao Deshmukh should rather give his voters in Maharashtra what he has been promising the people of Gujarat while begging for votes,'' Modi added.
Hindutva's poster boy is an effective communicator, strikes a chord with rural and urban voters alike and can walk the talk on development issues.
And just like Pramod Mahajan he has the right rapport with the Shiv Sena and the RSS. His rising popularity may now be the best bet for the fading saffron alliance in the state.
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