Keep your feet on the ground: Sena to BJP after bypoll setback

Strong remarks are seen as a warning to BJP to tone down its demand for more seats

The Shiv Sena today took potshots at the BJP for the reverses it sufered in the bypolls, saying it should learn a lesson and keep its "feet on the ground".

"In Lok Sabha polls, BJP made great strides in UP but now the bypoll results have been opposite. This is a lesson for Maharashtra polls. It is a lesson for all. Don't take people for granted," an editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamana said.

"People's minds are fickle. The bypoll results are lesson for October 15 Maharashtra Assembly polls. It is a lesson for all," the Sena said.

"Keep your feet on ground. Don't get swayed by the frenzy of victory (in Lok Sabha polls). Only those who learn this lesson will win Maharashtra. Or else the public will do the needful," the Sena said.

The BJP was dealt a severe blow in its strongholds in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat when it lost 13 of the 23 seats held by it previously while the Congress put up a surprise showing in two of these states in the Assembly by-elections.

The Sena mouthpiece said "The bypoll results should not be linked to the Modi wave. It should be noted that there is a difference between general and state elections."

The editorial added that Modi is doing a great job at international level and one shouldn't think the results are a mandate against Modi.

The strong remarks in the Sena editorial are being construed as a warning for BJP to tone down its demand for more seats to contest in the Maharashtra polls.

BJP president Amit Shah is expected to discuss seat sharing issue with Sena in a meeting with his party's senior state leaders in Mumbai today.