How Shiv Sena ministers still part of 'Nizam government', asks RSS

If the BJP government is the father of Nizam's government, how come Shiv Sena ministers are still part of it, asked Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in its mouthpiece Tarun Bharat.

Amid a burgeoning attack against the BJP by the Shiv Sena, RSS alleged that Shiv Sena was playing selfish politics and stooping to new lows, while targeting the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, the RSS and the BJP-led governments in Maharashtra and at the Centre. It said Shiv Sena's outburst was "out of frustration as the party was unable to digest BJP's growth".

RSS's intervention comes at a time when Shiv Sena is stepping up its attack against BJP ahead of the Mumbai civic polls due in 2017. RSS also stepped in when BJP last week portrayed Shiv Sena leadership in poor light in the social media in its response to the Sena's criticism against BJP.

Referring to the recent statement by Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut terming BJP government as the father of the Nizam government, RSS questioned how Shiv Sena minister Anant Gite continues to function in the BJP-led government at the Centre and ministers Subhash Desai, Diwakar Raote and Ramdas Kadam in the state Cabinet. Are these ministers Salar Jung or Kasim Rizvi who were ministers in the government led by Nizam who was the former Muslim ruler of the princely state of Hyderabad, how Shiv Sena minister's are a part of it.

Further, RSS claimed that Shiv Sena in the past had not even spared former prime minister AB Vajpayee and RSS chiefs while now stepping up attack against Modi. RSS observed that Shiv Sena should not take for granted that it can muster support by abuse and unwarranted criticism. Instead, it will strongly hurt Hindutva supporters.

RSS recalled that BJP-Shiv Sena alliance won the Lok Sabha elections due to the Modi wave. However, during the Maharashtra assembly election, Shiv Sena undermined the Modi wave and went solo. Notwithstanding being part of the Modi government, the Shiv Sena equated Modi and his central ministers with the army of Bijapur general Afzal Khan and asked voters to ensure the defeat of the BJP. However, RSS reminded that voters were pained and ultimately Sena's strength was reduced to half.

RSS has advised that Shiv Sena should realise who are their friends, foes and supporters and accordingly decide its future.