BJP hopes to win over Shiv Sena with tiger replica

The state BJP has come up with a unique idea to please it sulking junior partner Shiv Sena in the government.

Keeping in mind the Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray’s love for wild animals, especially tiger, the BJP has decided to gift a life-size fibre-made tiger replica to him. Tiger is also Sena’s party symbol.

This, the BJP said, would dilute the strained relations between Sena and BJP. Meanwhile, forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said that this would be part of an awareness campaign to save tiger.

Mr Mungantiwar said the tiger replica would be presented to Mr Thackeray next week. The replica which is made of fibre is 7 feet long and 3.5 feet wide. It weighs around 55 kg.

Mr Mungantiwar however said it was just a friendly gesture and one should not attach political implication to it. “The gift will be a symbol of our friendship. In addition to that, it will also be part of our Save Tiger campaign. Uddhavji is an avid animal lover. I hope he will like the gift,” Mr Mungantiwar said. Mr Thackeray is upset with the BJP since their break up before Assembly polls in 2014. He has targeted the BJP time and again over its policies and decisions. Mr Thackeray also had criticised PM Narendra Modi after his unscheduled Pakistan visit.

The Shiv Sena, however, is unmoved by the friendly gesture. A senior Shiv Sena leader pointed out that there was nothing new about it as Mr Mungantiwar had gifted a similar replica to actor Amitabh Bachchan after he was made the brand ambassador for the state’s Save Tiger Mission.