Sena, BJP show their unity at public meeting

MUMBAI: Presenting an image of unity and their renewed ties, the state unit of BJP and the Shiv Sena shared a common stage at a public function here giving a clear indication that they will be contesting the 2009 assembly elections together.
 
The two parties, which were reportedly on the verge of parting ways owing to their differences on several issues, tried to project a united stand last night at the function at city-based Shanmukhananda Hall, where the Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was felicitated as the 'Best Chief Minister'.
 
Present at the function were the state BJP leaders Nitin Gadkari, Gopinath Munde and others.
 
Executive President of Shiv Sena Uddhav Thackeray said that the glue that was binding the two parties was not 'fevicol' but the strong bond of Hindutva.
 
He also quoted the popular song "Yeh dosti hum nahi todenge" from the film 'Sholay' to show the ties were strong.
 
Relations between the two parties had badly deteriorated when the Sena extended its support to Pratibha Patil, the Congress' candidate for the President of India instead of the NDA candidate Bhaironsingh Shekawat.
 
A point came when the alliance was almost on the verge of breakdown. However, the national BJP leaders held a patch up meeting in New Delhi in the presence of L K Advani wherein both Shiv Sena and BJP leaders agreed to bury their differences.