Maharashtra BJP distances itself from Sena critical article

Maharashtra BJP today disassociated itself from an article published in an in-house party journal making critical analysis of its partner Shiv Sena's poor performance in the Assembly elections.
       
"This article is an analysis from the individual columnist and not the official stand of the BJP," State party president Nitin Gadkari told PTI.
       
He said his party, which won two seats more than the Sena despite contesting in less number of segments than its ally, does not underestimate the strength of Shiv Sena, an argument made in the journal `Manogat'.
       
"We do not intend to hurt our long-standing ally in any manner. BJP believes in the leadership of Sena supremo Bal Thackeray and we have to go ahead on the basis of our Hindutva ideology," Gadkari said.
       
The article, which has appeared in the latest issue of the journal, said Sena's electoral strength in Maharashtra is less than what its leaders projected.
       
"BJP has done well while Sena has suffered a setback. The Assembly polls results have shown that BJP is stronger and the party had compromised to keep the alliance with Sena intact," the article noted.
       
BJP contested 119 seats and won 46, while Sena put up candidates in 169 seats bagging only 44. Sena had to concede leader of opposition in Assembly post to the BJP.