Sanjay Raut said Shiv Sena is aiming to win 25 to 30 seats in the UP state elections
Shiv Sena will go it alone in the upcoming Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh and field candidates for 200 seats, the party's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut today said.
"Shiv Sena will field its candidates for 200 seats on its own in the state in the coming Assembly polls," Mr Raut told mediapersons in Lucknow.
The Sena leader said his party is aiming to win 25 to 30 seats in the crucial state elections.
"Whoever has the backing of the people of UP makes it to the seat of power," he said.
Mr Raut said his party was untouchable in national politics as it stood for Hindutva principles and did not compromise for the sake of political gains, which was why its ally in Maharashtra, BJP, would also not want it to get a foothold in UP.
Mr Raut lashed out at those seeking evidence for surgical strikes by the Army in PoK, terming them traitors and demanding that they be court-martialled for "demoralising" the forces.
The MP, who was on a visit to the state capital to meet party leaders and workers, also criticised Bollywood actor Salman Khan, saying his father (Salim Khan) was also not happy with him after his statement backing Pakistani actors.
Mr Raut praised UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, saying he is a young leader who has undertaken lot of development work but is not being given a free hand.
The Sena leader however criticised the Samajwadi Party for its dynastic politics.
To a question on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's likely visit to the state capital this Dusherra, Mr Raut said that it should not be planned with coming elections in mind.
"He should keep visiting places and continue to do good work for the youth and others," Mr Raut said.
When quizzed on the clash between two factions of his party yesterday and an ink attack on him, he said "some people" were being eager to proclaim themselves the party's state and district unit presidents.