Shiv Sena to wait till BJP's offer in govt formation in Maharashtra

Uddhav Thackeray says will not approach BJP himself when NCP had already proposed outside support

Shiv Sena said it has decided not to unilaterally approach BJP offering party’s support in the formation of government in Maharashtra. Instead, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray said the party will wait for BJP’s proposal.

''Let proposal comes to me from BJP then Shiv Sena will take a call whether or not to support BJP in the formation of government. As of now, NCP has already declared to provide support from outside to the BJP led government. Let BJP decides on NCP offer. If I go on its own and Shiv Sena’s offer remains unanswered from BJP. Therefore, the party has decided to wait and watch,’’ he said.

He said that it is up to BJP to decide on whether or not to accept NCP’s offer. Uddhav recalled there used to be constant dialogue with BJP’s first generation leaders including AB Vajpayee, LK Advani and Pramod Mahajan.

However, I expect similar cordial relations to be maintained by the BJP’s second generation. He clarified that Shiv Sena did not break the alliance but the decision was taken by BJP.

A visibly displeased Uddhav, who rejuvenated the party especially after the demise of Bal Thackeray and also BJP broke decision to break its 25 year old alliance, said party’s success cannot be overlooked especially when compared with the money power and the man power used by BJP in particular and other parties.

Uddhav defended party’s decision not to withdraw its lone minister Anant Gite from the union cabinet. ‘’Why should Shiv Sena ask Gite to resign? Shiv Sena worked hard for NDA’s victory. It was BJP which severed our ties,’’ he noted.

Uddhav expressed satisfaction for party leading in 63 seats saying that all credit goes to party workers. He said the party is happy that leaders including Congress party’s former minister Narayan Rane, who had deserted Shiv Sena in 2005, had lost to Shiv Sena nominee Vaibhav Naik. ‘’Those who were responsible to make Bal Thackeray displeased and give him pain were defeated,’’ he added.

He however, admitted that party is really perturbed over the defeat of party’s senior leader Subhash Desai and former legislator Vinod Ghosalkar despite working 24x7 for their respective constituencies and for the people in general.