Amit Shah said Sena-BJP will join hands, says Ramdas Athawale

Mumbai: Republican Party of India (RPI) chief and Union minister Ramdas Athawale on Sunday reiterated that Shiv Sena should form the state government with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since it will be a “real tribute” to Balasaheb Thackeray.

Mr Athawale had earlier suggested the BJP to give the chief minister’s post to Shiv Sena for one and a half years.

Mr Athawale said, “I told Amit bhai (BJP President Amit Shah) that if he mediates, a way can be found out. To which he (Amit Shah) replied “don’t worry, everything will be fine. BJP and Shiv Sena will come together to form government.”

The RPI chief’s remark has to be taken with a pinch of salt given the BJP and the Shiv Sena alliance split up after negotiations over power sharing failed.

Ten days ago, Mr Athawale had met NCP chief Sharad Pawar at his residence Silver Oak in Mumbai and sought his advice to resolve the current political crisis in the state.

Despite political differences, Mr Athawale is known to share a close relationship with Mr Pawar for years. “I came to seek his advice to resolve the current political problems. His opinion is that the Shiv Sena and BJP should form government. He asked me to advise the two parties to form government,” he had said.