In a significant political move, MNS chief Raj Thackeray today announced candidates for the Lok Sabha polls and also declared his party's support for BJP's prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi.

"We will contest the Lok Sabha elections. I will show my party's strength during the elections. We will support Narendra Modi for the PM's post. Modi should become the prime minister of the country," said Raj addressing his party workers on the eighth foundation day of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena at the Shanmukhananda hall in Mumbai.

The BJP has also welcomed the move by the MNS. The announcement by Raj comes days after former BJP chief Nitin Gadkari had met him at a five-star hotel, requesting him not to field candidates for the general elections.