Shiv Sena wasted 25 years as ally of BJP: Uddhav Thackeray

(From left) Author Vijay Samant, publisher Arvind Shah, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and media coordinator Harshal Pradhan at the launch of the book Pannaas Varshachi Ghoddaud at YB Chavan Centre in Nariman Point. The book is a comprehensive account of the party since its inception till date. The party celebrates 50 years this year. (Photo: Debasish Dey)

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday rued that his party “wasted” 25 years being in alliance with the BJP, asserting that his outfit would leave the government the moment it felt it was being “disregarded”.

The Sena chief, in the third and final part of his interview to party mouthpiece Saamana, however, maintained that he would never blackmail or backstab the ally.

“Shiv Sena completed 50 years in June since our advent. For 25 years we were in an alliance (with the BJP). Twenty-five years is a long time and we grew up holding each others’ hands...but the way certain things unfolded, including the breaking up of the alliance in the previous (Assembly) elections...now I feel that we wasted these 25 years being in alliance...,” Mr Thackeray said.

However, he said he was in touch with Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and recently they dined together at Matoshree — Mr Thackeray’s residence in Bandra.

“In those days, the base of our alliance was Hindutva, but now we need to work out what the base of this alliance is. Rest, I am in touch with the chief minister, who is new, but I am closely monitoring his commitment and relentless efforts, and I wish he does well in the future,” said Mr Thackeray, who turns 56 on Wednesday.

To a question on why he and his party kept levelling allegations against the government despite being a part of it, he said, “This is why I stress on working on the fundamentals of our alliance and make them clear once again. Shiv Sena has never slapped baseless and wild accusations and neither has it made personal comments.”

On why the present government was “disregarding” ally Sena, the leader said there were elements trying to create an atmosphere of uncertainty.

“Yes, of course, there is uncertainty and those are our enemies... some are visible and some are disguised. It happens with everyone. But I am not like that. The moment I feel that my party and I are not getting proper treatment, I will not be in power. I will never blackmail the government.

I will speak out, but never backstab,” said Mr Thackeray. He also took a swipe at the BJP over its failure to make Bihar, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala “Congress-free” during recent elections.

“Lalu Prasad Yadav has been barred from contesting the election, but his party emerged as the biggest party in Bihar. Similarly, with Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu. I am naming these two persons because they have come out of jail on corruption charges and even then the people of those states have chosen them and made them victorious with a heavy mandate,” he pointed out.

“These results are like a jolt to those who boast of their clean image. Why did the people of Bihar, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala reject you (referring to BJP) and chose them Because the people of these states did not pay attention to the tall promises, big addresses in rallies... they firmly decided that only these are our leaders,” Mr Thackeray noted.