Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis rejects Sena criticism of PM Narendra Modi

Indicating a hardening of stance towards the Shiv Sena, whose chief, Uddhav Thackeray, used Congress president Rahul Gandhi's 'chowkidar hi chor hai' jibe, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said this was akin to "spitting on the sun."

Fadnavis, while adding that he would reply to Uddhav's accusations, at the "right time", denied reports that the BJP had agreed to a seat-sharing deal with the Shiv Sena. While the Sena has spoken about going it alone in polls, BJP has been advocating for a pre-poll tie-up.

"I do not want to dignify Shiv Sena's allegations. The country knows what kind of a man the Prime Minister is," said Fadnavis, adding that PM Modi had no home or family, or even greed for property. "If someone is saying something wrong about him (PM Modi), I can only say that it will be akin to spitting on the sun," charged Fadnavis.

Without naming Uddhav, the CM said he would "reply to the criticism at the right time."

"There has to be a right time for everything and that will come," he added.

Fadnavis said the BJP had decided to offer unconditional support to the Shiv Sena in the mayoral elections in the Ahmednagar municipal corporation if Sena were to approach them. However, no one from Sena approached the BJP seeking their support and water resources minister and BJP leader, Girish Mahajan, was asked to contact environment minister and Sena leader Ramdas Kadam.

The BJP had already filled nomination forms for the mayoral and deputy mayoral posts and the NCP decided to support them, said Fadnavis. "There is no political equation here. We will fight the elections against the Congress and NCP, 100 per cent," added Fadnavis.