BJP not helpless, wants alliance for development: CM on Sena’s big brother comment
The CM was responding to Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut’s statement that his party will continue to be the “big brother” in any alliance in the state (Representational Image)
A day after Shiv Sena MP quipped that the party was the ‘big brother’ in Maharashtra politics, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded to the statement, asserting that the ruling-BJP wanted an alliance for development and not because it was helpless.
In recent months, Shiv Sena – a part of the BJP-led government in the state and Centre – has been lashing out at the latter’s leadership and policies.
At its national executive meet in January last year, it even hinted at breaking the alliance and fighting general and assembly elections separately. BJP, on the other hand, has been eager to continue the alliance.
The CM’s comment came after Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut told reporters that his party will continue to be the “big brother” in any alliance.
“BJP is not helpless. Yes we want alliance but for development of the nation. Don’t want power to go in hands of people who looted nation for long. We’re trying to get into alliance but we are not helpless,” Fadnavis said.
BJP is the party which reached 200 from two, he reiterated.
The CM was responding to Raut, who had earlier claimed, “We are the big brother in Maharashtra, we were the big brother and will stay the big brother”.
In 2014 Lok Sabha elections, BJP and Shiv Sena contested as alliance partners and won 41 seats out of a total of 48 at stake in the state. BJP had won 22 seats, while the Shiv Sena 19. However, they contested the subsequent Assembly polls separately.
Reports indicate that the Sena has sought an equal number of seats in both assembly and general polls, which the BJP is yet to accept.
