No threat to BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in Maharashtra: CM Fadnavis

“The contest is tough but BJP has an edge”, a party office bearer said.

With the Sena-BJP severing ties for the Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation polls, Fadnavis said the saffron alliance will contest the prestigious BMC polls together. Kulkarni said that the right to expression was a fundamental right in a democracy. The NCP state unit is divided on the matter.

Congress leaders accused the NCP of corruption.

“BJP workers as well as elected representatives have been directed to highlight the achievements of the government in their constituencies”.

He said there is no threat to his government and the Cabinet expansion may take place after Bihar Assembly polls. Maharashtra is one of the largest BJP-led states that the Centre can not afford to sacrifice for its coalition conflict.In the last six months, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley have paid visits to Pawar’s hometown Baramati.

“Before calling others ants, it would have been better if Pawar had self-introspected”. It is to be seen if Pawar compromises his secular credentials for power sharing, say observers.

Patil said BJP’s alliance with local outfit Tararani will also prove detrimental.

A senior minister told dna that even though the meeting was planned much earlier and relations with the Shiv Sena were not on the agenda, it came up for discussion during the last week.

The minister additionally expressed the necessity to publicise the “welfare-oriented selections” taken by NDA authorities in final one yr. (Former Maharashtra Chief Minister) Prithviraj Chavan abused the NCP time and again. The Sena too said there was no threat to the alliance. It is meant to be seen as a signal that we could have other options.

He indicated that Modi had asked him to deal with the Shiv Sena at the state level and not bother the central BJP leadership on alliance related issues. “We lay out the red carpet for them and accord them highest security”, the Sena sarcastically demanded. “The only solution for the Kashmir issue is dialogue”, he said. “But the way the NCP still stuck to power is nothing but a miracle”, the editorial said. Now, they say they are in the opposition. KDMC is a home ground for Shiv Sena like Mumbai and Thane. Fadnavis had admitted incidents like these could dent India’s image on the global stage.