Sena, allies sure of saffron sweep

The grand alliance of Shiv Sena, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Republican Party of India (RPI) on Wednesday launched its election campaign for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.

The alliance leaders, Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, BJP senior leader Gopinath Munde and RPI leader Ramdas Athawale have their target set on the united front of the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which could possibly turn the tables.

''Raise both your hands and pledge that you will make sure that the saffron flag will continue to fly at the BMC headquarters,'' Thackeray told the crowd at Vikhroli.

“Just ask how much has the Congress worked for Mumbai. Sonia Gandhi came here after the floods and showed up at each spot for 40 seconds. Has any of their chief ministers given time for Mumbai's mayor ever? The tax money goes to the Centre, but Mumbai gets nothing out of it,” alleged Thackeray.

“And now these people want to capture power, which we will not let them do,'' he added.

RPI leaders recalled their stint with the Congress and the NCP with bitterness.

''I was with them for some years, but finally, I realised my fault. I am sure that our alliance will not only retain the BMC power, but will also stake claim in the state assembly in 2014,'' he said.

BJP leader Gopinath Munde made his first public appearance after his brother joined the NCP.

''Our alliance will not face the curse of divisive politics. The Congress has broken the trust of Dalits and will not be spared by them,'' he said, referring to Athawale's departure from the Congress.