The Maharashtra BJP has come up with a unique idea to please its sulking junior partner, the Shiv Sena, in the government.
The Maharashtra BJP has come up with a unique idea to please its sulking junior partner, the Shiv Sena, in the government.
Keeping in mind the Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray’s love for wild animals, especially tiger, the BJP has decided to gift a life-size fibre-made tiger replica to him. Tiger is also the Sena’s party symbol.
This, the BJP said, would dilute the strained relations between the Sena and BJP.
Meanwhile, forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said that this would be part of an awareness campaign to save tiger.
Mr Mungantiwar said the tiger replica will be presented to Mr Thackeray next week. The replica, which is made of fibre, is 7 feet long and 3.5 feet wide. It weighs around 55 kg.
Mr Mungantiwar, however, said it was just a friendly gesture and one should not attach political implication to it.
“The gift will be a symbol of our friendship. In addition to that, it will also be part of our ‘Save Tiger’ campaign. Uddhavji is an avid animal lover. I hope he will like the gift,” Mr Mungantiwar said.
Mr Thackeray is upset with the BJP since their break up before the Assembly polls in 2014. He has targeted the BJP time and again over its policies and decisions.
The Sena, however, is unmoved by the friendly gesture. A senior Shiv Sena leader pointed out that there was nothing new about it as Mr Mungantiwar had gifted a similar replica to actor Amitabh Bachchan.
