Shiv Sena gears up for solo show in BMC elections

Mumbai: Although dithering to make an official announcement yet, Shiv Sena has indicated it is preparing to go solo for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections scheduled in February. Currently, Sena is ruling BMC in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has reportedly instructed Mumbai and Thane-based member of Parliaments and legislators to return to city within two to three days and focus on each ward.  The Winter Session of the Parliament and state legislature is underway in New Delhi and Nagpur, respectively.

Mr Thackeray has also indicated that the party would give opportunity to fresh faces in the BMC elections and warned his party men that recommendations for candidature would not be entertained.

A Shiv Sena insider said  Mr Thackeray had informed all shakha pramukhs (party office in-charge) to gear up for a solitary show in the BMC election. Mr Thackeray had said while addressing shakha pramukhs Saturday evening at the Shiv Sena Bhavan, “Though I met chief minister Devendra Fadnavis several times recently and shared dais with him at two functions, it does not mean we will ally with the BJP. During assembly elections in 2014, BJP betrayed us at the 11th hour and Sena lost at several places, as we didn’t get sufficient time to choose candidates. This time we must be ready.”

The insider further said that even though chief minister was ready to tie up with Sena for the BMC poll, it was difficult to arrive at a seat-sharing arrangement considering his party’s demands. Mr Thackeray said that he would begin visiting his party shakhas to interact with citizens and party cadres.