Maharashtra: Uddhav Sena ties up with Sambhaji Brigade

MUMBAI: Even as the Shiv Sena on Friday announced an alliance with the Maratha outfit Sambhaji Brigade, saying both parties would fight polls together, BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule questioned whether the newly-forged alliance was an attempt by former CM Uddhav Thackeray to break away from the Maha Vikas Aghadi. He wondered if the alliance would be acceptable to the Congress and whether Thackeray had sought permission from the Congress and NCP before forming the alliance.
“Left with no options, there is no guarantee with whom Uddhav Thackeray will form an alliance. Will this be acceptable to the 15 MLAs left with him?” he asked while reacting to the announcement of the alliance between Thackeray’s Sena and the Sambhaji Brigade. The latter is a Maratha outfit and is a branch of the Maratha Seva Sangh. It is known for its violent agitations.
Uddhav Thackeray, who was present at joint meetings between the Sena and Sambhaji Brigade, said there was a conspiracy to finish regional parties not just in Maharashtra but the country. Uddhav criticized BJP for not following the RSS ideology and said it was the Sambhaji Brigade that comprises people who fight for ideology.
Sambhaji Brigade president Manoj Akhre and chief spokesperson Gangadhar Banbare were present along with Sena leaders at the press conference to announce the alliance. Thackeray said, “People who believe this is a democracy are now talking absurdly. The decision in SC will be on whether the country will remain a democracy or become a dictatorship. I’m glad we got together.
We have come together because we agree with each other. We were in power, power is bound to come back. You have joined us when we have nothing. This is our ideological alliance... Some people say Maharashtra belongs to Shivaji, but they do not act like that. Sambhaji Brigade has come along as they agree with our Hindutva.”