File Photo: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray with PM Narendra Modi
Uddhav Thackeray, whose 25-year alliance with the BJP ended just days ago, has said that exiting the national coalition anchored by the BJP is not a given.
"Joining the NDA and then pulling out is not that easy," said Mr Thackeray, who announced this week that he will be pulling the sole minister from his party in the union government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"If Uddhavji has taken a decision to continue in the NDA dispensation, then it is a welcome sign," said Sambit Patra, a BJP leader. The comments from both sides suggest the parking of the partnership on a political cul-de-sac may not be final.
Mr Thackeray, 54, heads the Shiv Sena. The party's Anant Geete, a union minister, is expected to submit his resignation to the PM upon his return from the US.
After weeks of a tug-of-war over how many seats both parties should contest in the Maharashtra election on October 15, the partnership was ended last week. But today, Mr Thackeray indicated the difficulties of the divorce. "All MPs who have been elected bagged the votes of both Shiv Sena and BJP. It is the people's mandate. A decision will be taken after discussions with Prime Minister Modi and considering what our supporters feel," Mr Thackeray said.
In the national election in May, the BJP and the Sena performed outstandingly, winning 42 of the state's 48 parliamentary seats between them.
The split was reportedly engineered by Mr Thackeray's wish to be made the chief minister if the combine won the state election. The BJP, which swept the national election, also wanted more seats than Mr Thackeray was prepared to share.