Murderous BJP stabbing anyone coming in its way: Shiv Sena

Days after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accused the Shiv Sena of betrayal, the latter on Friday dubbed the BJP as a "mad murderer" that is "stabbing anyone coming in its way.

The Sena also slammed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for not removing his footwear while garlanding the photo of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji during a public rally in Virar two days back for Palghar Lok Sabha bypoll to be held on May 28.

"The hypocrite chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, who visited Palghar for poll campaign, said the Sena has stabbed the BJP in the back. This shows they have not understood the history or Chhatrapati (Shivaji)," the Sena said in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

"Today, the BJP has become a mad murderer that stabs anybody coming in its way," it alleged.

Fadnavis had recently said that the Sena had betrayed the BJP by fielding the son of late MP Chintaman Wanaga in the Palghar Lok Sabha bypoll.

The Sena said the BJP's act of giving candidature to former Congress leader Rajendra Gavit for Palghar bypoll and speaking against the Sena was actually back-stabbing.

"The language of back-stabbing does not suit Yogi (Adityanath) or Devendra Fadanvis," the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said, adding that the BJP was giving an opportunity to those who had back-stabbed Balasaheb (Thackeray) when he was alive.

The Sena said it has decided to fight all the elections alone, be it Palghar bypoll or the recently-held Legislative Council elections.

"This is just the beginning of tomorrow's fight," the Sena said in an apparent reference to the next year's Lok Sabha elections.

"The Sena's victory in Nashik and Parbhani is just the beginning and our win in Palghar (LS bypoll) will be the trailer. The developments that follow will change the course of politics in Maharashtra," it said.

It said although politics was full of selfish people, the Shiv Sena and its saffron flag stands out in the crowd.

"Yogi comes here and gives lessons on Chhatrapati.

However, while garlanding his statue, he does not even remove his chappals. This is an insult to Chhatrapati Shivaji. What does the BJP have to say on this," the Sena asked.

It alleged that the BJP was damaging the image of Maharashtra, which is known for its "honesty and trustworthiness".