Tension between Shiv Sena and BJP has increased after Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray dared the saffron ally to break their alliance for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. Sources said that the Sena cadre have been told to prepare to contest solo for the polls, as the party does not want to trust the BJP. The BJP has given similar instructions to its workers.

“Uddhavji has made his stand clear in Dussehra rally. We have nothing more to say on the issue when our leader has said it already. There are still three months for the BMC polls and we will wait and watch,” Arvind Bhosale, Sena spokesperson said.

However, according to sources, the Sena has started its preparation going alone for the polls, which are scheduled for February 2017. The party is preparing a list of probable candidates from every ward and also issues to be highlighted during the poll campaign. The Sena is welcoming workers from other parties but has not given clear assurance for poll tickets, the sources said. “If the party has to go solo, we might think about fielding workers who have joined recently. But the priority would be given to our candidates,” the sources added.

Mr Thackeray in his speech on Tuesday dared the BJP to break the alliance and said the Sena would then show the ruling party “the real surgical strike.” The Sena chief also recalled how the alliance between the Sena and the BJP broke at the last minute during the Assembly polls, two years ago. He said the experience taught him to be cautious this time.

The BJP on the other hand has not come out clearly about going solo or in alliance for the polls. However, it is targeting the Sena and holding it responsible for corruption in the BMC.