Will part ways if NCP’s support is accepted: Sena Chief

The Shiv Sena did not declare the explicit role that they will play in the state legislature but have confirmed in its press conference that they will part ways if BJP decides to accept the support offered to it by the SharadPawar’s Nationalist Congress Party.

“BJP should answer whether they will be taking direct or indirect support of NCP. Only then will Shiv Sena decide whether toplay the role of opposition or not,” said Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray while making it clear enough that if the BJP wishes to go with the NCP, they won’t support it.

The Shiv Sena has left it to the BJP to decide whether or not they require the support of Shiv Sena while declaring that they won’t be a part if NCP’s support is accepted. Shiv Sena chief also said that they will sit in opposition if BJP decides to accept the external support of NCP.

“Sharad Pawar was the one who first used the word ‘Saffron Terrorism’, and if BJP decides to take the support of the same NCP then we will not go with BJP,” said Uddhav Thackeray and added that they will not leave their path of Hindutva.

“We don’t want Hindutva votes to divide, hence I am taking a soft stance,” he further said.

“We don’t want any compromise for power,” the Sena chief said while adding, “What I am doing is in the interest of Shiv Sena.”

Before conducting this press conference, Uddhav Thackeray met the Shiv Sena top brass, including senior party leader Anil Desai who flew back to Mumbai from Delhi after being instructed to boycott today’s swearing-in ceremony. Uddhav Thackeray in his press conference said that since he did not get the answer for his question, he asked Anil Desai to not attend the ceremony. He said that if he would have got the answer he would not have stopped Desai.

Earlier this evening, Shiv Sena supporters gathered in large numbers outside Mumbai airport to welcome Anil Desai. Similar visuals were seen outside SenaBhavan when party Chief Uddhav Thackeray arrived. Anti-BJP slogans were raised outside Sena Bhavan which showed that there is a sense of disappointment among Sena supporters for BJP.

In today’s meeting, the party elected Eknath Shinde as the leader of their party’s legislature for Maharashtra Assembly.

• About the Author

About Suyash Karangutkar

Suyash Karangutkar is a young, dedicated and an enthusiastic journalist who has a deep interest in National and International Affairs. He is an ardent political spectator who finds politics fascinating. At Spectralhues, he heads the Mumbai team and covers National Affairs & Politics. He also occasionally writes columns for Spectralhues. He can be followed on Twitter @columnistsuyash