Shiv Sena can quit Maharashtra government if it is unhappy, say BJP netas

PUNE: The BJP state executive on Sunday left it to the local units to decide on whether or not to forge an alliance with the Shiv Sena in the municipal polls.

However, the state executive members were vociferous in their demand that the Sena exit the state government if it was unhappy.

While the BJP executive congratulated the Sena on 50 years of its existence, its leaders shouted "shame, shame" against the party for targeting the government and BJP ministers.

On the final day of the state executive meeting, party spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said the state leadership has decided that the local units must take a call on an alliance at the local level. "There will be no pressure from the state unit," he said.

Earlier, state education minister Vinod Tawde tabled the political resolution of the party for a discussion. When BJP leaders insisted that he speak on the Sena, Tawde reminded them that Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu had already spoken about that party in his speech on Saturday.

"Today, the Shiv Sena has completed 50 years and the BJP executive body congratulates the party. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has also tweeted his congratulations," Tawde said.

However, the executive body members, including MLAs, MPs, district unit presidents and office-bearers, started pressing their leaders to take a clear stand on the Sena.

When the discussion on the resolution began, senior party leader Madhu Chavan said, "why are we not mentioning those who refer to our government as Nizam's regime? The Sena says it is our friend and yet conducts a vicious propaganda. If we are Nizam's government, they (Sena ministers) must resign and step out. We are ready to face such a situation."

Chavan received applause from the executive members. He was referring to the criticism earlier this month by Sena MP Sanjay Raut, who had said, "the BJP government is the father of the Nizam's government." Nizam, a Muslim ruler of the princely state of Hyderabad, was known for his anti-people policies.