Shiv Sena says no to alliance with BJP after Amit Shah's attempts to pacify sulking ally

MUMBAI: On the backdrop of BJP National President Amit Shah’s friendly approach and invitation to contest elections jointly, the Shiv Sena on Saturday showed that the party is firm on its stand to not to have a pre-election alliance with the BJP. On the other hand the new NDA entrant former Chief Minister Narayan Rane too said that he will quit NDA if BJP goes in for a pre-election pact with the Shiv Sena.

In a politically significant gesture Shah, while addressing the mammoth rally of party workers on BJP’s 38th foundation day at Mumbai on Friday, tried to appease the dejected NDA partner. He even went on to say that he “sincerely wishes that the Shiv Sena stays with the BJP” for the next elections while addressing a press conference later. However, the Shiv Sena has decided to stay firm on its stand of no electoral alliance with BJP.

Senior Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra industries minister Subhash Desai reiterated party’s stand to go solo for elections in future while speaking at Navi Mumbai on Saturday. He also added that Shah’s confidence level has dwindled.

“Their language has changed. Just six months back they were talking of only BJP’s government. Now they have started talking about the NDA government. This shows their diminished level of confidence,” Desai said while addressing a rally of party workers at Nerul.

“Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray has announced that the Shiv Sena will go solo in the elections. He has never gone back on his words. Hence Shiv Sena shall contest on its own and form its government in Maharashtra,” Desai added.

On the other hand former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Narayan Rane, who recently got elected to Rajya Sabha on BJP’s ticket too said that he won’t remain part of the NDA if the BJP decides to join hands with the Shiv Sena.

“Shiv Sena had threatened to quit government when the BJP was prepared to accommodate me in Maharashtra cabinet. Why then I should tolerate them,” Rane said in an interview given to a Marathi news channel on Saturday.

“In 2019 Lok Sabha elections Shiv Sena would be the primary opposition party for me and hence if BJP decides to go along with them I shall cease to be with them,” he added.

Shiv Sena in its national executive meet on January 23 this year had resolved to go solo in the elections. The party has said that it wishes to have its member as the Chief Minister after 2019 elections, which has created a block in its relations with the BJP. Shah’s friendly approach was the first attempt, since January, to mend ways with the disgruntled ally.