Striking a discordant note with ally BJP, Shiv Sena ruled out its support for Abdul Kalam and indicated intention to back UPA-Left candidate Pratibha Patil.
MUMBAI: Inspired by the Mayawati miracle in Uttar Pradesh, Shiv Sena wants to eliminate caste barriers and unite Dalits with upper caste Hindus in the state for the 2009 Assembly elections.
Warning the BJP not to take it for granted, Sena supremo Bal Thackeray exhorted party workers to march alone and ensure that “the saffron flag flutters atop the state Assembly.” He was addressing the party workers at the Shanmukhananda Hall in Matunga to commemorate the 41st foundation day of the Shiv Sena.
Thackeray deferred the decision on Presidential polls till June 25 and admitted that there was a dilemma in the
organisation over the choice of a candidate. Though Thackeray held the Marathi card close to his chest, he made it amply clear that Shiv Sena will not support President APJ Abdul Kalam for a second term.
“Accepting Kalam is out of the question. He has let down the nation by not taking a firm decision on Afzal Guru, even though the Supreme Court had given him a death sentence,” Thackeray said. He made no reference to UPA’s Congress nominee Pratibha Patil, apart from saying that the nation might get a Rashtrapatni.
His 25-minute speech was primarily aimed at rejuvenating party workers. The tone of Thackeray’s speech indicated that the Sena is going to explore the possibility of realignment in the next state elections to consolidate its own vote bank.
State BJP chief Nitin Gadkari declined to comment on Thackeray’s call for a united effort from Shiv Sena members to wrest power in the 2009 Assembly elections. However, state BJP general secretary Vinod Tawade clarified that the Sena chief’s remarks could be understood to mean that all Hindutva forces should unite under a single banner to ensure victory in the assembly polls.
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