Raut’s reaction comes as a surprise as earlier this month, the BJP’s erstwhile ally had said that Modi should focus on stopping the “atrocities” by the neighbouring country and not on Maharashtra politics.
Claiming that Pakistan has been emboldened by government’s failure to take “firm” steps against cross-border firing and shelling, Shiv Sena took a pot-shot at Modi saying one does not need a 56-inch chest to protect the interests of the nation but a strong will power.
Raut attacked the BJP saying that its leaders are trying to undermine the importance of Maharashtra. The Sena leader maintained that his party wants to fight for the development of Maharashtra.
Commenting on the possibility of post poll alliance with the BJP, Raut said, “Shaking hands with people who have cheated Maharashtra will not happen, but the end decision will be taken by party president Uddhav Thackeray.”
Both Sena and the BJP leaders have been holding each other responsible for breaking the decades old alliance.
Aditya Thackeray, Shiv Sena’s youth wing leader, earlier hit out at the BJP for “back-stabbing” the party, saying that “once BJP’s ‘acche din’ started, they did not want us” and voiced confidence that his party would manage to form a government on its own in Maharashtra after the assembly elections later this month.
