BJP cadre wants to go solo in Maharashtra polls, but seniors shoot down idea

The clamour for going solo in the assembly elections, scheduled for October, grew in the BJP, with many legislators and office bearers making the demand on Thursday. However, senior party leaders from Maharashtra said that they would lead by playing big brother, but won't alone.

The atmosphere was charged at the day-long meeting of state executive members held at Andheri Sports Complex, where BJP leadership tried to pacify agitated cadres, who said that they would be required to rely on alliance partners like Shiv Sena, RPI for success in the state polls.

Over 3,000 BJP members from across the state attended the programme, which saw presence of Rajiv Pratap Rudy, in-charge of Maharashtra and MP from Chhapra, union ministers Prakash Javadekar and Nitin Gadkari.

"We have a 25-year-old association with the Shiv Sena. Just because we have come to power at the centre does not mean we leave their hand. They have been our friends through thick and thin," said Devendra Fadnavis, state BJP president.

Earlier Madhu Chavan, spokesperson for state BJP had said that the party should go alone in the assembly elections and there was no need to continue the alliance. "After such a great growth at the national level do we still need to be 'bonsai' in state," Chavan said.