Devendra Fadnavis confident about BJP-Shiv Sena alliance

Mumbai: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis Tuesday said that the Shiv Sena understands the “political fact” that both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and itself would suffer if they contest polls separately and that the coming together of the Congress, NCP and others has “consolidated the Opposition’s vote bank”.

Mr Fadnavis’s government will complete its fourth year in office on Wednesday. On the eve, he met mediapersons at his residence, Varsha, and discussed a range of issues including preparation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. “We are very confident that the people will elect the BJP again under the strong leadership of Narendra Modi. The people are with us. The Opposition has no space in Maharashtra now,” said Mr Fadnavis.

Talking about the alliance he expressed confidence that the Sena will form an alliance with BJP. “Uddhav Thackeray knows that the division of Hindutva votes will help Congress and NCP at the end. It seems that they are coming together. In that case, Sena chief knows what needs to be done. I am confident that Sena will form an alliance with us,” said Mr Fadnavis.

The Maharashtra chief minister also ruled out chances of simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the state. The Assembly polls in the state are scheduled in October 2019.