Shiv Sena softens stand against BJP in run-up to BMC polls

Softening its stand against the BJP after censuring it over a host of issues, the Shiv Sena on Tuesday said criticism over policies should not be taken personally and that those who want to improve, take comments with an open heart and bring about necessary changes.

"Criticism done on policies should not be taken personally. Doing so increases stress. Governments keep committing mistakes. But, in a democracy, it is necessary these mistakes are pointed out," an editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' said on Tuesday.

"Criticism is not only done to change or remove governments, but to improve its functioning. Those who want to improve take criticism sportingly and with an open heart. A good ruler needs to place his feet on the ground, keep his mind calm and respect criticism," the ruling ally said.

On Sunday, addressing Shiv Sena workers at the party's golden jubilee year celebration, Uddhav Thackeray had said he would not have any "twisted" alliance with the ruling partner BJP for BMC polls, and asked the cadres to be ready to contest the polls without alliance.

Notably, a senior BJP minister had on Monday said despite Uddhav Thackeray's assertion that he would not accept a "twisted" alliance deal with BJP for the next year's civic polls in Mumbai, he was keen to sew up an alliance.

Meanwhile, reacting to the Sena's change in stand, the opposition Congress and NCP said these comments were expected.

"We had expected the Sena to soften its stand against the BJP. The Sena knows the corruption that it has allowed in the BMC running into thousands of crores, will ensure that it does not retain power. Thus, they now want to use the BJP to fulfil its agenda," Congress spokesperson Al-Nasser Zakaria alleged.

NCP legislator Kiran Pawaskar alleged, "BJP has a policy of teaching a lesson to anybody who revolts against it. It feared Eknath Khadse, so his PA was found involved in corruption and subsequently the minister had to resign."

"Now, the Sena is a thorn in BJP's throat. We wonder if the BJP wanted to play a similar tactic with Deepak Sawant, through his PS Sunil Mali and this made the Sena go soft against the BJP," he further claimed.