Maha BJP in damage control mode; Sena takes filmi poshots

BJP in Maharashtra today resorted to damage control exercise following an article in a party journal critical of ally Shiv Sena as it asserted the write-up does not reflect its official stand.
Reflecting the growing chasm between the saffron allies, a Sena corporator invoked the names of Bollywood villain Gabbar and comedian Rajpal Yadav to target BJP chief Amit Shah and state party spokesperson Madhav Bhandari.
The article in BJP's fortnightly magazine 'Manogat' has been written by Bhandari. The piece, 'When are you taking talaaq Mr Raut'? had dared the Sena to take "divorce" while enumerating the sacrifices BJP has made in the past to keep the alliance intact.

Seeking to assuage an angry Sena, which has sought a clarification, state BJP President Raosaheb Danve said the alliance with the Uddhav Thackeray-led party remains intact and the coalition government will complete its full term.
"If anybody publishes any news report in any newspaper, it does not mean its the party's official stand. Newspapers are free to air their own views," Danve in a statement issued here late this evening.
"The (BJP-led) government in the state will last for full five years. We (BJP-Sena) have been natural allies for the last 25 years. The people of the state have given us mandate to rule for full term," he added.

Danve said directives have been issued to BJP cadres to exercise restraint and maintained the Sena should also issue similar instructions to its workers.

Meanwhile, adding Bollywood touch to the war of words, Sena Corporator Kishori Pendnekar compared Shah with Gabbar Singh, the feared villain of "Sholay", and likened Bhandari to actor Yadav, known for his comic roles in Hindi cinema.
Speaking to reporters, Pednekar said, "If for the BJP, the Sena President was the jailer (Asrani) of 'Sholay', then BJP President was like Gabbar."
Meanwhile, irate Sena workers took to the streets and protested against the article. They also burned the effigies of Bhandari.

Sena cadres held demonstrations in Nashik and at Kranti Nagar in Girgaum, Mumbai. The party has also announced it will boycott a programme in Pune where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present.