Shiv Sena minister threatens to 'finish off' ally BJP in state
TNN | Jan 9, 2019, 03:12 IST
MUMBAI: As both the Shiv Sena and BJP appeared to have hardened their stands on the issue of forging an alliance for the Lok Sabha elections, Sena leader and environment minister in the state government Ramdas Kadam used strong language against the alliance partner on Tuesday, threatening to “finish off” the BJP if it challenged his party.
Speaking to mediapersons in Mantralaya, Kadam said BJP had been decimated in assembly elections in five states recently. It would suffer the same fate in Maharashtra as it had in the Hindi heartland states if it took on the Sena.
“Even when there was a Modi wave, we got 63 seats in the state elections. Now the wave has receded. They should think about themselves rather than challenging us,” Kadam said. The Maharashtra assembly polls had taken place months after the 2014 LS polls. The Sena and BJP had fought these elections separately, with BJP emerging the single largest party and getting its first CM in the state.
During the weekend, BJP president Amit Shah on a visit to Latur had asked party workers to start preparations to fight the LS elections on their own. “If an alliance takes place, our preparation will be helpful to our partner’s candidates. Don’t think of whether the alliance with Sena will happen or not. Prepare to fight alone,” he had said. The Sena responded by saying BJP seemed to have made an alliance with the EVMs.
On the Modi government’s decision to introduce 10% reservation to classes not covered by any quota, Kadam said only time would tell whether the move would stand the scrutiny of the courts. “If there is a quota for Muslims, Dhangars or Marathas, how will they give 10% reservation (to others)? Sometimes, one wonders whether all these announcements are being made with an eye on the coming elections,” the Sena minister said.
Sena president Uddhav Thackeray had, in Pandharpur, used Rahul Gandhi’s line of ‘chowkidar chor hai’ to target PM Modi. Before that, he visited Ayodhya to launch the Sena’s temple campaign. The Sena has claimed it will fight the next elections on its own.
Speaking to mediapersons in Mantralaya, Kadam said BJP had been decimated in assembly elections in five states recently. It would suffer the same fate in Maharashtra as it had in the Hindi heartland states if it took on the Sena.
“Even when there was a Modi wave, we got 63 seats in the state elections. Now the wave has receded. They should think about themselves rather than challenging us,” Kadam said. The Maharashtra assembly polls had taken place months after the 2014 LS polls. The Sena and BJP had fought these elections separately, with BJP emerging the single largest party and getting its first CM in the state.
During the weekend, BJP president Amit Shah on a visit to Latur had asked party workers to start preparations to fight the LS elections on their own. “If an alliance takes place, our preparation will be helpful to our partner’s candidates. Don’t think of whether the alliance with Sena will happen or not. Prepare to fight alone,” he had said. The Sena responded by saying BJP seemed to have made an alliance with the EVMs.
On the Modi government’s decision to introduce 10% reservation to classes not covered by any quota, Kadam said only time would tell whether the move would stand the scrutiny of the courts. “If there is a quota for Muslims, Dhangars or Marathas, how will they give 10% reservation (to others)? Sometimes, one wonders whether all these announcements are being made with an eye on the coming elections,” the Sena minister said.
Sena president Uddhav Thackeray had, in Pandharpur, used Rahul Gandhi’s line of ‘chowkidar chor hai’ to target PM Modi. Before that, he visited Ayodhya to launch the Sena’s temple campaign. The Sena has claimed it will fight the next elections on its own.
FROM AROUND THE WEB
more from times of india Cities
LATEST VIDEOS
All Comments ()+^ Back to Top
Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.
HIDE