Reacting to his party's strained relationship with BJP over Chimur assembly by-election, Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray on Friday categorically stated that there will be no continuance of alliance at the cost of "self-respect".
MUMBAI: Reacting to his party's strained relationship with BJP over Chimur assembly by-election, Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray on Friday categorically stated that there will be no continuance of alliance at the cost of "self-respect".
He alleged that BJP had weakened in Maharashtra after the death of Pramod Mahajan and the party had lost its appeal among Hindu voters after LK Advani's controversial remarks on Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
"There is a limit to patience. The only philosophy and inspiration behind the BJP-Sena alliance is that of Hindutva. There were several attempts to wreck the alliance on issues such as posts of Chief Minister or Leader of Opposition earlier also, but Sena still digested all this," he wrote in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamna on Friday.
"As BJP has lost a jewel like Pramod Mahajan, its strength has reduced. Should we also stake a claim to their seats?" he asked, referring to BJP's claim that Sena has weakened in Chimur and that it stands a better chance to win the by-election.
"Sena is not willing to have an alliance at the cost of self-respect. This is not a question of only Chimur, but of fairness," Thackeray remarked.
"By praising Jinnah, Advani invited the wrath of Indian people. Due to this, BJP's image amongst Hindus has taken a beating and they are losing their remaining strength," he wrote in the paper.
"So far we have exercised restraint. That is our (coalition) dharma. The others have changed their dharma. What can we do?" Thackeray asked.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}