Shiv Sena has expressed concerns over the dimnishing number of allies in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The concerns were aired in the party’s mouthpiece Saamana on Monday.
It cautioned that new crop of friends do not grow overnight and lamented how allies such as the JD(U), who were friends with the BJP for the past 17 years, parted ways.
The editorial noted how in the hey days of the NDA even the spacious hall of Advani’s home would be insufficient to hold a meeting with the ally leaders, but now, with barely three parties – BJP, Shiv Sena and the Akali Dal – in the nest, even a table and four chairs were sufficient.
“At one time there were 25-30 parties in the NDA,” said the editorial. It said that what remains of the alliance is only the BJP and Shiv Sena.
“While there is also the Akali Dal from Punjab, an ally which has the capacity to win four to five Parliamentary seats in a state, which has only 13 Parliamentary seats,” said the editorial.
The editorial said that BJP chief Rajnath Singh noted that Advani is a thinker and great mentor.
“However who is listening to this great mentor. Though what is Advani’s position in the party is the internal matter of the BJP, however Advani’s advice as the NDA president should not be ignored,” said the editorial.