BJP zero in work but hero in polls, says Saamana

Mumbai: Dubbing its ally BJP as “zero in work but a hero in polls”, the Shiv Sena on Monday said it would not put the blame on “faulty EVMs” for its defeat in the recent civic polls in Maharashtra.

“"There was a time when the Congress used to win every election. They were zero in work but a hero in polls. Similar is the case with BJP today,” an editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamana said. On Friday, BJP emerged victor in the Latur and Chandrapur municipal corporation elections whereas Congress emerged the single largest party in Parbhani municipal corporation polls. Sena meanwhile held six seats in the outgoing Latur house but could barely open its account this time around. However, the party said that despite the loss, it would not blame faulty EVMs unlike opposition parties. "This time, the Sena was unable to even open its account. We will not blame faulty EVMs for the BJP's resounding victory but research should be conducted as to why people are getting swept away and farmers and youths are rallying round BJP like a snake sways to the tune of the snake charmer,” the Sena edit said. It said that BJP's win in recent polls was due to Congress’ inefficiency."On top of it, victory is guaranteed when you have the entire state machinery and help of the Sangh (RSS) members. This is the season of BJP's victory and will continue for some more time. (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi at the Centre and (chief minister) Devendra Fadnavis are experimenting with new tricks every day. They will continue to win until people get bored of these experiments, and others, despite doing their work seriously, will only continue to face defeat,” the Sena said.

In elections to 10 municipal corporations across the state held in February this year, BJP won in eight civic bodies. The party also made inroads into the hinterland in elections to the 25 zilla parishads.