Shiv Sena-BJP combine in Maharashtra in fresh trouble

The Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance of two decades in Maharashtra has been jolted in the wake of a humiliating defeat for the latter in a Legislative Council poll.

The loser was the son of the leader of the opposition in the state assembly, Eknath Khadse, in the Council election from Jalgaon. The Shiv Sena openly supported the rebel Nationalist Congress Party candidate, who won the seat.

Immediately after the poll results were announced last evening, an angry Khadse warned that the Sena’s act would have a lasting impact on the alliance’s future. The alliance ruled the state from 1995 to 1999 but has come second to the ruling Congress-NCP combine since.

Recently, BJP legislator Ravindra Pawar from Dombivli, a suburb in neighbouring Thane district, openly suggested the party sever its link with the Sena. After the BJP’s crushing defeat in the recent elections to the Kalyan-Dombivli civic body, Pawar blamed the Sena, saying its rebels damaged BJP candidates in several wards. And, that Sena activists did not work for BJP candidates where the latter were contesting. The BJP tally had slid from 16 in 2005 to nine, even as the Sena won two seats more than in 2005.

Earlier, in April, a BJP candidate won a standing committee poll with Congress support and the Sena candidate lost in the Aurangabad civic poll. The Sena strongly protested. The issue was ultimately resolved at the level of top leaders, when the BJP councillor was suspended from the party.

A former BJP minister told Business Standard: “It is a reality that all is not well in the saffron alliance. However, neither can separate, out of compulsion. Still, there has been a view within the BJP that we should try to go alone and increase presence in the state despite defeats.”

While, a Shiv Sena legislator said the BJP could grow only due to the alliance. “A large number of Shiv Sainiks also feel the time has come to sever the tie-up. However, it is party supremo Bal Thackeray who will decide the future of the alliance.”