This Article is From Jul 26, 2016

'Wasted' 25 Years In Alliance With BJP, Says Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray

'Wasted' 25 Years In Alliance With BJP, Says Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray

Need to work out the basis of alliance with the BJP now, said Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray.

Highlights

  • The two parties grew up holding each other's hands, said Uddhav Thackeray
  • But the way certain things unfolded, Sena wasted 25 years, he told Saamna
  • Alliance was based on Hindutva, need to work out new basis now, he said
Mumbai: After nearly two years of being at odds with ally BJP, with whom it runs the Maharashtra government, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray today came up with his most scathing comment so far - saying his party had "wasted" 25 years being in alliance with the BJP.

In the third and final part of his interview to the party mouthpiece "Saamna" as the Sena completes 50 years, Mr Thackeray spoke of the 25-year alliance, saying the two parties "grew up holding each other's hands".

"But the way certain things unfolded, including breaking up of alliance in previous (assembly) elections... Shiv Sena has wasted 25 years in the alliance... these 25 years turned rotten in the alliance," he said.

Earlier, he said, it was Hindutva that brought the two parties together, "but we need to work out what is the base of this alliance right now".

The Sena and the BJP have shared an uneasy relationship since the alliance broke over seat sharing in the run-up to the assembly polls and was reformed after the state delivered a split verdict. Despite running the state government together, the Sena since had not pulled punches, and had often taken a stand that pitted it against the BJP both at the state and the Centre.

To a question why he and his party keeps on levelling allegations against the government despite being a part of it, Mr Thackeray said this was why he stressed on working on the fundamentals of the alliance. "The moment I feel that my party and I are not getting proper treatment, I will not be in power. But I will never blackmail the government. I will speak out, but never backstab," Mr Thackeray said.

Asked why the present government was "disregarding" Sena, he said there were "frenemies" "seen and disguised", who were trying to create an atmosphere of uncertainty.

He, however, added that he was in touch with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and recently they had eaten together at 'Matoshree' - Mr Thackeray's residence in Bandra.

"I am in touch with the Chief Minister, who is new, but I am closely monitoring his commitment and restless efforts, and I wish him to do well in future," said Mr Thackeray, who turns 56 tomorrow.
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