Sena counters Shah’s ultimatum threat\, saying that BJP is frantic

Sena counters Shah’s ultimatum threat, saying that BJP is frantic

ST CORRESPONDENT
10.57 AM

Mumbai: BJP President Amit Shah’s statement regarding the alliance with Shiv Sena widened the rift between the allies. Shah threatened the Shiv Sena that if they don’t come with the BJP, then they will finish them. His statement increased the anger among the Shiv Sena workers. 

While addressing BJP workers from Latur, Osmanabad, Hingoli and Nanded districts on Sunday, Amit Shah said, “Party workers should get rid of confusion about alliance with the Shiv Sena. If the allies join us, we will ensure their win, or else we will defeat them too. Party workers should start preparations at every booth.”

Prima-facie it looks like a warning to Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, but BJP’s ultimatum to its ally to come on board looks like a sign of desperation. Amit Shah also said that if an alliance happened ahead of the polls, the party will ensure victory for its allies.

Shiv Sena immediately countered Shah’s statement saying the BJP President is frantic and arrogant. But the BJP’s plan to win 40 seats meant it would rely on manipulation of EVMs, Shiv Sena’s statement said. 

In the same meeting, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis set a target of winning 40 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in the State. 

“We should now prepare for all 48 seats. We will contest 48 seats and win 40 of them if the alliance won’t happen,” Fadnavis had said.

“It seems that the BJP now does not want to support the followers of Hindutva. In Maharashtra, the voters will show them their place, as the voters in four states showed recently,” Shiv Sena’s statement says.  

Shiv Sena leader and MP Sanjay Raut reacted very harshly to Shah’s statement. He said that the Shiv Sena was never scared of such hollow threats and the Maharashtrians are not scoundrels.

“No one dares to give an ultimatum to the Shiv Sena, We never care for such silly statements,” he said. We (all Shiv Sena workers) are tigers and it is very difficult to tame us. If BJP is willing to attack, then we are ready to tackle them,” he added.

NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said that this is nothing new. “The BJP has its old agenda to finish their allies. Shiv Sena has made the mistake to go with BJP. Now they have to face the consequences,” he said.