The party is likely to take a decision in this regard after the results of assembly polls held in five states are declared.
After BJP’s impressive performance in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election speculations are rife in the political circles that the saffron party might sever ties with Shiv Sena and prepare for mid-term assembly polls in Maharashtra. According to sources, BJP is likely to take a decision in this regard after the results of assembly polls held in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Manipur and Goa are declared. Shiv Sena has emerged as the single largest party in the BMC polls by winning 84 seats while BJP improved its tally from 31 to 82 seats. Sena had snapped ties with BJP ahead of the civic body election and contested polls singlehandedly. Both Sena and BJP are competing with each other to stake claim for mayor’s post
Victory in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Akola, Amravati, Solapur, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur and Ulhasnagar municipal corporations has boosted BJP’s confidence as the party has managed to make inroads into the civic bodies of the state. On the other hand, Sena has managed to win only in Thane municipal corporation election.
According to sources, “If people have voted for BJP in the civic body polls it only shows that the party is expanding across the state. This is the right time for the party to break the alliance with Sena and head for mid-term polls. Already Sena has been giving tough time to BJP by passing statements against it in media.”
If mid-term polls happen in Maharashtra then it will bring an end to decades long alliance between Sena and BJP. BJP has decided to maintain ‘wait and watch’ stance in response to the Shiv Sena’s moves for securing power in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) post the February 21 polls.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed him about the current political scenario prevailing in city and state after civic body polls. Already Fadnavis had said that he won’t compromise on the party’s principles.
On the other hand, Sena is seeking Congress party’s support to reach the magic figure of 114 required for installing its Mayor in BMC. However Congress said that it will offer support from Sena only if it withdraws support to the Fadnavis government.
“Taking into consideration the current relation Sena shares with BJP the party may not have alliance with the latter in BMC. Even grassroot workers of Sena don’t want the party to have a tie up with BJP,” said sources.
Refusing to disclose her party’s cards ahead of the election to the Mayor’s post, Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe too said, “One week in politics is too a long time. So wait and watch.”
