MUMBAI: With equations between the BJP and its ally Shiv Sena changing, the former is planning to go solo in the elections of 10 municipal corporations, 26 zila parishads and 297 panchayat samities in 26 districts over the next two months.
While in Mumbai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray the cold shoulder. So did Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
“The Shiv Sena doesn’t want to recognise that the BJP has gained power and relations between them need to change.”
Mumbai BJP president Ashish Selar argues that Shiv Sena heir apparent Aditya Thackeray had proclaimed their target of “150 plus” seats after the parliamentary polls without consulting us. Anybody with even a primitive sense of arithmetic understands that such projections are possible only when you contest more seats. The Shiv Sena was responsible for severing ties,” he said.
A section of the Maharashtra BJP favours ties with the Shiv Sena, as going alone in the corporation elections will hit the stability of the government.
“The Congress and NCP are an ineffective opposition. Our principal opposition is the Shiv Sena, even though we are sharing power with them,” a BJP MLA said. “If the Shiv Sena dares to quit the government, they will face a split.”
After NCP released its first list in Mumbai earlier this week, the possibility of alliance with the Congress declined. This will help the BJP.