Uddhav Thackeray thunders, but for Shiv Sena dumping BJP isn't an easy call

The Sena has neither forgotten nor forgiven the BJP for its shock decision of going solo in the October 2014 Assembly polls, dumping its "elder brother" unceremoniously after acrimonious seat-sharing

Brinkmanship is second nature to the Shiv Sena. Party chief Uddhav Thackeray has borrowed the “chowkidar chor hai” phrase from Congress President Rahul Gandhi to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Simultaneously, he is having seat-sharing talks with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is of the BJP.

Unmindful of any repercussions, Sena mouthpiece Saamana cautions the ruling party: “Don’t think of people forgetting the Rafale deal issue even though you rake up Agusta Westland.”

In the Lok Sabha debate on the Rafale deal, the Sena joined the Opposition in demanding a joint parliamentary committee. In the wake of the Modi