MUMBAI: Taunting the BJP over joining hands with arch-rival Congress in Gondia Zilla Parishad, the Shiv Sena today said in politics it is not known when friends become enemies and vice versa, and cautioned its senior alliance partner that though the ZP tie-up may comfort it in near future, the thorns of its actions could prick it later.
"You never know who can join hands with whom in politics. Friends of 25 years can become enemies, and enemies from birth can suddenly become friends. Everyone is surprised with the alliance of a pure party like BJP with the Congress," an editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' said today.
Taking a jibe at BJP, it said, "It seemed that there was no reason to doubt the intentions of this clean, cultured and soft party because it took its lessons from the Sangh."
It is the same Congress which has levelled corruption charges against BJP in the state Assembly, the editorial pointed out.
Taunting the BJP, the Sena further said, "Taking a decision of this magnitude requires a lot of courage. Our ally has shown that it has the courage. We do not have any doubts that Maharashtra's problems like unemployment, farmers' woes will be solved with the blink of an eye."
"The results of Gondia and Bhandara were in favour of the Congress and NCP, which was unfortunate. There should have been no problem in accepting the people's verdict and sitting in the Opposition. We had informed all our Shiv Sainiks that joining hands with the Congress and NCP, against whom we have been fighting, will invite people's wrath," it said.
Questioning BJP's helplessness over tying-up with Congress, the Sena sought to know if India will plead similar helplessness and "sprinkle the holy water of river Ganga on Pakistan's feet and worship the neighbouring country."
"BJP is our friend and hence it is our duty to tell things that will benefit them. The whole of Vidarbha should not become Gondia and Bhandara, because it is Vidarbha that has made BJP what it is today. Do not make a lapse in judgement about the sentiments of the people of Vidarbha," the editorial cautioned.
In Gondia, the NCP recently emerged winner 20 seats in the 53-member Zilla Parishad. The BJP bagged 17 and Congress 16 seats. However, Congress had a post-poll alliance with BJP and bagged the ZP president's post while the saffron party got the vice president's post, leaving NCP out of power.