Sena pull-out: Uddhav says decision after Modi’s return
2 Oct 2014 4:26 AM IST
Since the last few weeks, BJP-Shiv Sena were engaged in a political battle over seat sharing arrangement in Maharashtra, which is going to witness assembly poll on 15 October. The 25-year-old alliance finally ended on 25 September and the parting of ways got bitter after Uddhav on Monday announced that the Union Heavy Industries minister Anant Geete, lone Sena leader in the cabinet, would tender his resignation to the PM soon.
The announcement came after MNS chief Raj Thackeray criticised Shiv Sena by saying, ‘If Balasaheb Thackeray was alive today, he would have left BJP. Even after being insulted, Shiv Sena is holding the union ministry portfolio. Sena is still in alliance with BJP in Mumbai Municipal Corporation as it is an income source.’
However, realising that his decision taken in haste could jeopardise the political arithmetic and clout in Maharashtra, Uddhav after consulting party leaders has decided to take the final call after discussion with Modi.
‘As of now, there is no proposal to pull out of the NDA government,’ Uddhav said, knowing that if the party leaves the NDA all 42 MPs from Maharashtra will have to resign because they all got elected as NDA candidates.
Uddhav’s reluctance to leave the NDA clearly shows that he is very much aware that his party shares power with the BJP in several municipal bodies, including the cash rich Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, in Maharashtra. And, split from the NDA would be a disaster for the Shiv Sena because it might lose control over these municipal bodies.
He said, ‘Joining NDA and then pulling out is not that easy. All MPs who have been elected and those who could not win have bagged votes of both Shiv Sena and BJP. It is the people’s mandate. A decision will be taken after discussions with PM and considering what our supporters feel.’
The sudden change in stand by the Sena chief came as a surprise for many political leaders in the state. Since their formal announcement of break up, Shiv Sena leaders have lost no opportunity to blame BJP for the crisis.
Uddhav had on Monday announced that Geete would formally tender his resignation after Modi returns from the US. Earlier, an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamna had dubbed those who broke the 25-year-old alliance as ‘enemies of Maharashtra.’
Meanwhile, the BJP is still sticking to its old stand that it will continue to respect Sena leaders and the party. BJP leaders also claimed that it is for the Sena to decide whether to stay in the NDA or not.
The announcement came after MNS chief Raj Thackeray criticised Shiv Sena by saying, ‘If Balasaheb Thackeray was alive today, he would have left BJP. Even after being insulted, Shiv Sena is holding the union ministry portfolio. Sena is still in alliance with BJP in Mumbai Municipal Corporation as it is an income source.’
However, realising that his decision taken in haste could jeopardise the political arithmetic and clout in Maharashtra, Uddhav after consulting party leaders has decided to take the final call after discussion with Modi.
‘As of now, there is no proposal to pull out of the NDA government,’ Uddhav said, knowing that if the party leaves the NDA all 42 MPs from Maharashtra will have to resign because they all got elected as NDA candidates.
Uddhav’s reluctance to leave the NDA clearly shows that he is very much aware that his party shares power with the BJP in several municipal bodies, including the cash rich Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, in Maharashtra. And, split from the NDA would be a disaster for the Shiv Sena because it might lose control over these municipal bodies.
He said, ‘Joining NDA and then pulling out is not that easy. All MPs who have been elected and those who could not win have bagged votes of both Shiv Sena and BJP. It is the people’s mandate. A decision will be taken after discussions with PM and considering what our supporters feel.’
The sudden change in stand by the Sena chief came as a surprise for many political leaders in the state. Since their formal announcement of break up, Shiv Sena leaders have lost no opportunity to blame BJP for the crisis.
Uddhav had on Monday announced that Geete would formally tender his resignation after Modi returns from the US. Earlier, an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamna had dubbed those who broke the 25-year-old alliance as ‘enemies of Maharashtra.’
Meanwhile, the BJP is still sticking to its old stand that it will continue to respect Sena leaders and the party. BJP leaders also claimed that it is for the Sena to decide whether to stay in the NDA or not.
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