BJP-Shiv Sena can win 250 seats: Rajnath Singh

Amravati: While the state BJP is aiming to win 220 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly in the upcoming polls, the Union defence minister Rajnath Singh has set the bar even higher.

Insisting that the BJP and Shiv Sena would fight the Assembly polls together, Mr Singh said that the alliance would surpass its target of 220 seats by winning at least 250 seats under the leadership of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

“I was being told that our target is 220 seats in Maharashtra. But if the two parties come together, we can win at least 250 seats,” Mr Singh said while flagging off Mr Fadnavis’ Maha Janadesh Yatra at Mozri in Amravati district on Thursday.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Singh listed out the achievements of the Fadnavis government and praised the chief minister for his work. “When he took over the reigns of the state, many people were apprehensive about his administrative abilities. But in last five years, he has won the trust of people with his exemplary work. He has won the hearts of people. So, it is sure that he will be voted back” Mr Singh said.

Mr Fadnavis claimed that the performance of his government in last five years has been way higher than that of the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) government between 1999 and 2014. In the next five years, the state should be in a position to compete with any developed nation, he said.

Reiterating that fighting drought has been the topmost priority of his government, he said measures have been taken to ensure that next generation of the state will not face such a situation. Efforts are on to divert additional water from Konkan to Marathwada, said Mr Fadnavis.

Meanwhile, Mr Fadanvis issued a stern warning to the hoards of Congress and NCP leaders, who have lined up to join the ruling party. “Only those who are good will be given entry in the BJP. Others will be shown a housefull board,” he said.

“The BJP has never chased anyone. In fact, people from Opposition parties are running behind the party,” Mr Fadnavis added.

The chief minister’s statement assumes significance in the light of irrigation minister Girish Mahajan’s recent claim that more than 50 MLAs are willing to join the saffron party.