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Shiv Sena to contest 25 seats in Gujarat polls

The Sena has already contested Goa, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi assembly polls on its own since the 25-year-old alliance broke.

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Uddhav Thackeray
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In a clear bid to hurt the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) where it could hurt the most, the Shiv Sena has decided to contest from at least 25 seats in the Gujarat Assembly elections due in December. In the remaining constituencies, the party will support Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel, the face of the Patel quota agitation.

Sena had sat out in the 2012 Gujarat polls, and its ties with the BJP strained following the 2014 Assembly polls in Maharashtra, when both parties fought bitterly against each other, only to come together to share power in the state.

"We didn't contest in 2012 because we didn't want to divide Hindu votes. Clearly, the BJP doesn't believe in it anymore, so we are free to make our own decisions," said a senior Sena leader.

The Sena has already contested Goa, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi assembly polls on its own since the 25-year-old alliance broke.

"Uddhavji has decided to consolidate party's position not only in Maharashtra but across India, as the BJP has set aside Hindutva and is engaging in caste politics. The people are stressed because of inflation, and the BJP is more concerned about its own publicity," the leader said.

The Sena will highlight issues ranging from the impact of demonetisation and Goods & Services Tax and the alleged use of government machinery by BJP to win elections. The Sena will focus on faltering growth, rising unemployment and dip in private investment.

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