Sena may split with BJP as Uddhav targets CM

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, April 4

With relations between the BJP and Shiv Sena getting strained by the day, regional party leaders, led by its chief Uddhav Thackeray, are setting the scene for a formal split between the two parties.

At a meeting of Shiv Sena leaders on Sunday, Thackeray asked the party leaders to mobilise cadres to take on the Devendra Fadnavis government regarding issues concerning the common man. “Never mind if we are in power. Don’t hesitate from hitting the streets to highlight issues concerning the common man,” Thackeray told the gathering most of who comprised Shiv Sena leaders who contested the 2014 Assembly elections.

Sources said more than 120 Shiv Sena candidates who lost the last Assembly polls attended the meeting. Most of them continue to remain as the Shiv Sena’s office-bearers.

The meeting turned out to be a major attack on the BJP with Sena leaders from Marathwada, Vidarbha and Western Maharashtra hitting out at the Fadnavis government for not doing enough to tackle the drought situation in the state.

Sena leader Santosh Sambare said locals, who were reeling from severe drought, would beat up any elected representative who dared to enter the area.