Preparations for Punjab elections on full swing, says Shiv Sena

The Shiv Sena on Tuesday said the preparations for the 117-seat Punjab Assembly elections were on full swing and all MPs and MLAs of the party would canvass for their candidates.

Shiv Sena's North India Coordinator Vinay Shukla said, "During my visit to Pathankot on December 27, I asked Shiv Sainiks to prepare for the assembly polls. Besides, our MLAs and MPs, who have canvassed in the Bihar Assembly polls, will also be campaigning in Punjab."

The Shiv Sena performed very well in the Bihar Assembly elections, thereafter the party wanted to expand in the country while carrying forward its Hindutva agenda, and therefore the party has decided to go it alone in the Punjab elections due this year.

"It's a fact that not even a single Sikh was attacked during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Mumbai following an assurance by Shiv Sena patron Balasaheb Thakre. Hence, we believe that we will get blessings of our Sikh brothers in Punjab," he said.

When asked if Aditya Thackeray would be campaigning in Punjab, he said "He is interested in expansion of Shiv Sena and Hindutva outside Maharashtra. Besides, there was a big change after he joined the party. He will definitely campaign in Punjab.