BJP asks Sena to clarify its stand on Advani as PM

Miffed at reports that its ally Shiv Sena could back NCP supremo Sharad Pawar as prime minister, the BJP in Maharashtra on Friday asked Sena to clarify its position on supporting NDA leader LK Advani for the top post.

"An urgent meeting of senior state BJP leaders including general secretary Gopinath Munde, state president Nitin Gadkari and MLC Vinod Tawade was held here on Friday. In the meeting, it was decided to ask Sena to clarify its position on backing Advani for the PM's post," a party source said.

BJP was irked with Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut for his statement that the party would prefer a Marathi-speaking person for the top job. Gadkari had objected to the remarks on Thursday.

The meeting also decided that a final decision on seat-sharing would be taken at a state-level in Mumbai only and not in Delhi.

"The party would discuss the issue of alliance with Sena and seat-sharing in Mumbai and not in Delhi. The national leaders want the issue to be resolved here," the source said. 

Munde and Gadkari would hold talks with Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray soon.