Shiv Sena may come together with BJP, hints Manohar Joshi

MUMBAI: Amid speculation that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat spoke to Uddhav Thackeray to coax him for joining the Maharashtra government, Shiv Sena today struck an optimistic note saying an alliance with the BJP is possible.

"There is a strong likelihood of the Shiv Sena coming together with the BJP on the principles of Hindutva. But we do not know when that will happen. (Sena chief) Uddhavji will take a final call," senior Sena leader Manohar Joshi said.

He was speaking to reporters here after paying tributes to late Sena chief Bal Thackeray on his second death anniversary at Shivaji Park here.

Maharashtra will "definitely" see a Sena Chief Minister in the future, he said but added that "some things take time."

"I was fortunate enough to become Balasaheb's shadow during his lifetime. A man of his stature will not be born again. It is unfortunate that the previous government failed to provide a 'smarak' (memorial) for the late Sena chief," Joshi said.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Vinod Tawde said he was "unaware" of any calls made to Uddhav by the RSS chief and added that Sena should have joined the state government.

"I am surprised to hear about the RSS chief's call (to Uddhav Thackeray). I have no idea about it. As far as the Sena is concerned, we have always felt that they should have come together with us in the state government. I don't know why did they appoint a Leader of Opposition in the Assembly," Tawde said.