After taking pot shots at each other over forging alliance, Shiv Sena and BJP on Thursday announced they would contest 212 nagarpalika (municipal council) polls together.
After taking pot shots at each other over forging alliance, Shiv Sena and BJP on Thursday announced they would contest 212 nagarpalika (municipal council) polls together. The elections are to be held next month across the state. However, the parties have not decided on their possible alliance in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) poll. Both parties had severed their ties in the Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal polls a few months ago.
The two partners decided to join forces for the municipal council polls in a meeting held at BJP state president Raosaheb Danve’s residence in Worli, which Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut attended.
“We have decided to contest 212 municipal council polls across the Maharashtra together. Local leaders will be given instructions accordingly. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has congratulated us over the alliance and Shiv Sena chief Uddhavji Thackeray is also happy,” Mr Raut said.
When asked why the Sena initially opposed the alliance, Mr Raut denied the same. “The Sena never opposed a tie-up with the BJP. We wanted a complete alliance and not a partial one,” he said. However, Mr Raut refused to comment on the possible alliance for the Mumbai civic body poll.
Mr Danve also expressed pleasure over the alliance. “The alliance is across the state. If there are any issues, we will resolve them here. I am confident that a strong Shiv Sena-BJP alliance would win maximum seats.
The sources in the Sena said that Mr Thackeray had spoken to Mr Danve last night over the phone about the alliance. After the conversation, the final announcement was made on Thursday. The saffron alliance might force Congress and NCP to join forces for the local body polls.
Last week, a meeting regarding alliance was held with Sena MPs and MLAs where it was claimed that Sena wanted to go solo.
