Shiv Sena has rubbished reports that appeared in a section of the press with regard to Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) offer for an alliance in Maharashtra for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. The Sena said there has been no telephonic conversation between the BJP president Amit Shah and its chief Uddhav Thackeray for a pre-poll alliance. Instead, Shiv Sena leaders, who preferred to be anonymous, said the party has geared up to go solo in all 48 constituencies and it is close to finalising its campaigns comprising rallies, road shows, house-to-house contact and social and print media campaigning.
On its part, the BJP downplayed the reports terming it a figment of imagination. State finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said there was no proposal of Shiv Sena contesting 171 Assembly seats while leaving 117 to BJP. This formula was implemented by both the saffron parties in the 1995 Assembly elections. However, Mungantiwar categorically said Thackeray will not press for the same especially due to changed political equations.
Mungantiwar admitted that BJP wants a poll pact with the Shiv Sena and said his party has daily talks with the Sena in this regard.
A Shiv Sena leader, who is a close confidant of Thackeray, said,'' Alliances do not take place based on media reports. Time is running out and there are no formal talks between the two parties for alliance. The party has not forgotten the humiliation and neglect by BJP since 2014. Thackeray is practically holding daily meetings with taluka-level leaders to take stock of the situation for a solo fight. The feedback from these leaders is quite positive.'' The Sena leader further added that Thackeray, about two years ago, had declared that Shiv Sena will not strike an alliance with any party but, will go solo in the upcoming elections.
The Shiv Sena MP said the party has stepped up voters outreach programme and will flag off crucial issues such as government's mishandling of crop loan waiver, farmers distress, rising unemployment and critical state of finances.
Meanwhile, the BJP has organised a slew of programmes up to March 2 across the state to mingle with voters. The party ministers, MPs, legislators, and members will hoist the BJP flag atop their homes, hold booth level rallies and organise a motorbike rally across 48 constituencies. Shah has already set an ambitious target of winning 45 of 48 Lok Sabha seats while Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced BJP will defeat NCP in Baramati which is Sharad Pawar's pocket borough.
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