Shiv Sena is all set to walk out of the alliance with BJP, because Matoshree is peeved with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on a host of issues, the latest being the release of the former Pakistan foreign minister's book in Mumbai. Sena is more upset with Fafnavis for providing security for the book release function, than it is with Kasuri or Sudheendra Kulkarni, the chief of the Observer Research Foundation, that has hosted the event at the Nehru Centre on Monday.
"Yes, it is very, very likely that we may sever ties with the BJP," a key Sena leader, told on Monday, soon after the book release function. A section in the Sena is keen on quickly snapping ties with the BJP, in the view of the latter's "condescending style of behaviour", Sena sources said.
"We will continue to oppose Pakistan as long as it continues to attack India from across the border. This was the stand adopted by the late Balasaheb Thackeray. Under Uddhavji's leadership, the party will take the same stand," said Raut.
"The BJP is behaving like Congress on the Pakistan issue. The Modi government continues to hem and haw as Pakistan keeps violating the ceasefire and kills our soldiers," said a senior Sena functionary.
"Times have changed" said a key Maharashtra BJP leader. "Balasaheb Thackeray was open to discussions and suggestions. He would understand the government's difficulties and would be willing, after gentle persuasion, for a climbdown. This helped Pramodji (Mahajan) and Gopinathji (Munde) to smoothly run the government with the Sena as our ally. However, the present Sena leadership lacks resilience and tact. They have a closed mind," the BJP leader said.
Another senior Sena minister said, "We were not told in advance or consulted on the recent hike in taxes to raise funds for drought relief works in the state. This is frustrating. Files pertaining to my department do not land on my table. I am not kept in the loop on key decisions of my ministry. Senior BJP ministers decide among themselves on policy matters. Why should we continue in the government?"
By Premji
