Shiv Sena calls Maharashtra CM Fadnavis a liar

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, February 20

The Shiv Sena has yet again warned its ally BJP that it was likely to pull out of the alliance in the state, as the two parties head into battle for Mumbai’s civic body elections as rivals.

 In its trade-mark style, Shiv Sena's mouthpiece Saamna called Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis a liar and pointed out that the crowds at his rallies thinned each day. “Fadnavis won't have much sympathy from the public if the Shiv Sena pulls down his government tomorrow. As it is there are hardly many people attending his rallies in Pune and Nashik,” Saamna wrote.

Fadnavis had cancelled his rally in Pune at the last minute on Saturday because of sparse attendance at the rally. “Pune, which is called Maharashtra's cultural capital, has maintained its high standards by boycotting uncultured parties,” Saamna observed.
The newspaper also questioned Fadnavis' claims over Mumbai’s development.

“Who are the liars (who speak lies on behalf of Mumbai)? None other than our Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. His chair is safe only as long as the Shiv Sena will it,” the newspaper said.

Saamna went on to say that Fadnavis was talking about the future of Mumbai in his rallies in the city when his own future was uncertain.

“The Shiv Sena has given him temporary support only so that Maharashtra remains stable,” the newspaper said. “If the Chief Minister had carried out development works in the last two-and-a-half years, he would not have to roam in the gullies of Mumbai begging for votes.”