After maintaining his silence for two days, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackery lambasted the BJP, blaming it squarely for the break-up of the 25-year-old alliance between the two parties at the Mahalakshmi Race Course on Saturday.
"It was BJP which broke the alliance. How can I give them more seats? We already had to sacrifice 18 of our seats to give to smaller allies. But they wanted more. Many people told me it was unfortunate that the BJP parted ways with Sena. I say it is fortunate," he said.
"Eknath Khadse called me to say there was no possibility of an alliance. Actually, Khadse was asked to bell the cat. It is not a question of belling the cat, but a tiger. The Sena tiger will show everyone who is more powerful. If someone challenges us, we are ready to accept it," said Uddhav.
When there were riots in Godra, each one demanded the removal of Modi from the chief minister's seat, however, it was only the late Balasaheb Thackerey who saved Modi, he said. According to the Sena chief, the late Balasaheb had told BJP leader LK Advani in Raj Bhavan that, "If Modi is removed from Gujarat, they will lose the state. It was Balasaheb who had extended support to Modi when he was campaigning for Sardharsarovar," he said.
Uddhav said he was ready to take the responsibility of chief ministership if people wish. "People are asking why Uddhav is contesting polls. I want to tell them, that if the Sena government is voted to power, I will fight from whichever constituency the Opposition challenges me to contest," he said.
"We have decided not to field a Sena candidate against Pankaja Munde, who is contesting the state assembly polls from Parli. This relationship will continue," he added.
The Sena chief also said the party will ensure that the police fraternity gets justice if it comes to power.
"From henceforth, I will not pass comments either on BJP or Congress, because I do not have any time for them. Till the time a Sena candidate is not elected as CM, the Sena will not keep quiet," he said. Uddhav avoided criticising his cousin and MNS chief Raj Thackeray.
Clarion call
Many people told me it was unfortunate that the BJP parted ways with Sena. I say it is fortunate.
If the Sena government is voted to power, I will fight from whichever constituency the Opposition challenges me to contest.
I ensure that I will approach the Central government and get all farmers free of debt.
We have decided not to field a Sena candidate against Pankaja Munde. This relationship will continue.
We will never leave our Hindutva even though we do not have an alliance with BJP. In 1993, when riots spread across the state, the Shiv Sena saved every Hindu.
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