Shiv Sena, BJP drag their heels on pre-poll alliance for Mumbai civic elections
Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray released Shiv Sena's independent charter of commitment to woo the voters
Mumbai: The Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) gave indications on Monday that they might not form a pre-poll alliance for the Mumbai civic polls.
Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray released Shiv Sena’s independent Vachan Naama (charter of commitment) to woo the voters while the BJP continued to induct leaders from the Shiv Sena including a sitting corporator.
Thackeray told reporters that talks were still on with the BJP.
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Asked why the Shiv Sena had independently released its Vachan Naama when alliance talks were still underway, Thackeray said this was done to mark the birth anniversary of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray on 23 January. Thackeray, however, said Shiv Sena’s saffron flag would be hoisted at all 10 municipal corporations which go to polls on 21 February.
Later in the day, BJP Mumbai unit president Ashish Shelar announced the induction of Shiv Sena corporator Leena Shukla. Former Congress legislator Krishna Hegde and former Maharashtra Navnirman Sena legislator Mangesh Sangle also joined the BJP on Monday, apart from actor Dalip Tahil.
Shelar said chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Maharashtra BJP president Raosaheb Danve would take a final decision on pre-poll alliance with Shiv Sena. “Party cadres and leaders, however, feel extremely insulted by Shiv Sena’s offer of 60 seats as against 114 that we demanded. The party cadres have conveyed this sentiment to the leadership," said Shelar.
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