Even while asserting that his party had no intention to break its alliance with the BJP, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday exhorted his party workers to prepare themselves to go it alone in the forthcoming polls to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and eight other municipal corporations in the State.
Admitting candidly that he could not predict the fate of saffron alliance in the run up to the municipal corporations in the State, Uddhav said: “I am not certain as to what will happen to the alliance (between the Sena and BJP). Earlier, we had forged an alliance with the BJP on the Hindutva plank. I will take a call whether or not forge an alliance with the BJP. But you (party workers) should prepare yourselves to win the elections”.
Speaking at the Sena’s 50th foundation function at NSG grounds at Goregaon in north Mumbai, Uddhav said: “If the BJP is prepared to invoke the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji and late Bal Thackeray, then we are prepared to forge an alliance with the BJP. We will do so with our self-respect intact and would not do an alliance with the BJP out of desperation...Even today, i will make it very clear that the Sena has no intention to break our alliance with the BJP But, we are not interested in having a crooked alliance”.
Alluding to BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu’s advice the leaders of both the saffron parties to sit across and sort their differences, Uddhav said: “Even in the past, we had no intention to break our alliance with the BJP. Today there are reports where Venkaiah Naidu has said some good words about the Shiv Sena. We have got to hear good words about the Sena from our ally after a long time. But, let me tell you Venkaiahji, after analysing your speech (at the BJP’s executive meet being held at Pune and subsequent speech by your party’s state unit president’s speech, we will have to prepare ourselves to win the elections on our own strength”.
Referring to the unpleasant experience that the Sena had with the BJP in the run-up to the October 2014 Assembly polls, the Sena chief said: “Four months after the 2014 lok Sabha polls, we had Assembly polls in the State. In the run-up to the Assembly, we ( Sena) were stressing about the saffron alliance. Prime Minister addressed as many as 27 public rallies for the BJP candidates in a span of one month. After this we also learnt our lessons like other parties in Bihar, West Bengal and other States”.
In his criticism of the NDA government at the Centre on various issues, Uddhav said” “These days we get to hear slogans like Desh Badal raha hain... But the situation has not actually changed in the country. Our borders are still unsafe. Infiltration from China continues. We have to make do with Pak-sponsored terror acts as before. Prices of essential commodities are sky-rocketing. The dal prices have touched Rs200 per kg. We do not know the prices will spiral to”
“We are with the state government in its efforts to bring down the prices of essentiloa commodities. There is also corruption which we have to do deal with. Suffice to say, the common man is finding it difficult to make both ends meet. ... I do not know much about the “ache din” ( promised by the Prime Minister). But, let the common man experience moments of satisfaction”.
On NCP president Sharad Pawar’s poser to the Sena as why it is continuing its alliance with the “useless” BJP, the Sena chief said: “ I would like to tell Pawar not to interfere in matters relating to the saffron alliance. We (Sena and BJP) will sort out issues between us. Till today, I have not criticised chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. On the contrary I have only praised him. He is a man with good intentions.”
“Why do not you look back at the kind of alliance between the NCP and Congress when you people ruled the State for 15 yearsIJ One would always get feeling that the alliance would collapse any time. hould realise that your alliance with the Congress was uncertain all through 15 years when you ruled the state. The only difference between your party and Sena is that you fought with the Congress for your personal reasons, But we (Sena) have been fighting for the people,” Uddhav told Pawar.