Will take call on alliance at right time, says Uddhav Thackeray

Mumbai: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has clarified that his next political decision would be taken at the ‘right time’ and it would be taken in the interest of the Marathi-speaking and Hindu communities. Mr Thackeray, who was speaking at a newspaper distributor’s programme on Saturday, was asked whether the Sena would withdraw its support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state in the wake of his announcement that it would contest all elections independently henceforth.

In his speech, Mr Thackeray spoke about recent political developments. “There is some thought behind the decision,” he said. The leader also implored those gathered to continue placing its confidence in the party.

The Shiv Sena had recently declared that it would contest all elections on its own in the future. Sena leader Sanjay Raut had proposed this resolution during the party’s national executive meeting, and party leaders unanimously passed it. Mr Raut had also said that withdrawing support to BJP-led governments in the Centre and state would be done at the ‘right time’.

The Shiv Sena, BJP and three smaller parties had allied for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, but the was a split in the saffron alliance ahead of the Assembly elections later that year. The BJP had won 123 seats on its own while Shiv Sena won 62 in the Assembly polls.