Shiv Sena throws ball in BJP's court

NEW DELHI: The Shiv Sena on Friday threw the ball in the BJP's court on the issue of ties between the two parties, saying it 'always considers the BJP as our friend' and has 'no problem' with the NDA.

The statement by Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackarey came a day after BJP's Parliamentary Board discussed the future of its ties with its alliance partner in the wake of the Sena's decision to vote for UPA candidate Pratibha Patil in the presidential election.

Thackarey said from Mumbai that his party would take a decision on its stand in the vice presidential election scheduled for August 10 once the BJP clarifies the situation and the Sena's status with regard to the NDA.

Noting that his party has no problem regarding the NDA, Thackeray said the Sena supported Patil because she is a Maharashtrian. He also said the Sena was 'not apologetic' about its action in any way.

On Thursday night, BJP top brass, including LK Advani and party chief Rajnath Singh, met for the first time after the presidential election in the backdrop of the party's statements that it would review its ties with the Sena after the July 19 presidential poll.

They heard party leaders from Maharashtra, including Gopinath Munde and Nitin Gadkari.