Final decision on alliance with Shiv Sena only after leaders meet: BJP

BJP on Saturday said a final decision on the alliance with Shiv Sena for the upcoming Assembly polls in Maharashtra would be taken only after leaders of both parties meet and discuss the issue.

At a party conclave in Mumbai, several BJP leaders had made a pitch for contesting the coming elections independently.

Sena president Uddhav Thackeray made little of these statements, saying he would go only by what BJP chief Rajnath Singh had to say on the matter.

"Some sentiments were expressed at the BJP conclave and during a meeting of Shiv Sena leaders as well. Whatever feelings there may be in both parties, the party leaders will intervene if necessary and hold talks on alliance before taking any decision," Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council and senior BJP leader Vinod Tawde said on Saturday.

Buoyed by BJP's spectacular success in the Lok Sabha polls where it secured a single party majority, some BJP leaders said at the conclave that the party should go it alone in the state, as the alliance with Sena was stunting its growth.

To a question about the controversy created by Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar's reported statement that Mumbaikars can have a full meal for Rs 5, Tawde blamed the media.

"I heard his speech and he was referring to the food distributed at Mahim Dargah for the poor. The media has distorted his statement. The Congress and NCP leaders should see the video footage of the speech before commenting," Tawde said.