LK Advani saves BJP-Shiv Sena alliance at the Centre

Mumbai: Lal Krishna Advani, the BJP patriarch, has expressed remorse over the sudden collapse of 25-year-old alliance between the BJP and the Shiv Sena. He has also emphasized that the relationship with the former allies should be maintained, while speaking to reporters in Ahmedabad. He admitted that even though the BJP is a dominating force at the centre, yet the alliance would have helped both the parties in having a strong hold at the centre as well as at the state level. It is noteworthy that Advani has always maintained a very cordial relationship with the Late Balasaheb Thackeray and his party and has backed the Shiv Sena on many national as well state issues.

On the backdrop of alliance-breakup, Uddhav Thackeray conveyed to Advani about the manner the Maha Yuti or Grand Alliance was destroyed by the BJP and later he conveyed his hurt sentiments to Nitin Gadkari saying that the way BJP handled the entire situation was unjust keeping in mind the friendly relationship BJP and Shiv Sena shared in the past. However, Nitin Gadkari argued that the BJP should be given more seats in the state elections.

Earlier, Uddhav had announced the resignation of Anant Geete, Minister for Heavy Industries, from the Union cabinet, following the remarks made by Raj Thackeray on the need to quit the NDA government. He had said that if Balasaheb Thackeray was alive today, he would have replied to the BJP by kicking the BJP out completely. However, after a consultation with Advani, who advised Uddhav not to take any decisions in haste, Shiv Sena chief has announced that the final decision will be taken after sometime.

Soon after that Anant Geete announced that he will not resign from the cabinet. Uddhav Thackeray also announced that the Shiv Sena's stand on supporting the BJP government at the Centre will be clarified only after discussions with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Interestingly, Nitin Gadkari in an interview expressed the possibility of the re-alliance with the Shiv Sena after the elections. He added that it all depends on the political situation prevailing in the state after the election results.

Sanjeev Unhale is former executive editor of a leading Marathi daily Lokmat, Aurangabad. He writes on Maharashtra assembly election for ibnlive