NEW DELHI: Former Maharashtra chief minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday did not rule out a future tie-up with former ally Shiv Sena, saying that an “appropriate decision” will be taken based on the situation.
The Shiv Sena walked out of its alliance with the BJP after the Maharashtra assembly elections in 2019 and formed a coalition government with the NCP and Congress.
“The BJP and the Shiv Sena are not enemies though there are differences of opinions. An appropriate decision will be taken as per situation,” the former chief minister said while responding to a query on whether there is a possibility of the two former allies coming together again.
Fadnavis added, “Our friend (read Shiv Sena) contested the 2019 Assembly elections with us. But after polls, they (Sena) joined hands with the very people (NCP and Congress) against whom we contested the polls”.
When asked about his recent meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the possibility of the BJP and Shiv Sena coming together again, Fadnavis said, “There are no ifs and buts in politics. Decisions are taken as per prevailing situations”.
Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut tried to dismiss “rumours” about his meeting with BJP leader Ashish Shelar on Saturday.
“The more such rumours spread, the stronger the MVA alliance will become. We may have political and ideological differences, but if we come face-to-face at public functions, we will cordially greet each other. I have had coffee with Shelar openly,” the Sena’s chief spokesperson had said.
Last month, Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik had written a letter to chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, urging him to join hands with the BJP ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) elections.
The Maharahstra Congress had earlier hinted that the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance with Shiv Sena and NCP is not permanent and indicated that it may go solo in future elections.
(With inputs from PTI)
The Shiv Sena walked out of its alliance with the BJP after the Maharashtra assembly elections in 2019 and formed a coalition government with the NCP and Congress.
“The BJP and the Shiv Sena are not enemies though there are differences of opinions. An appropriate decision will be taken as per situation,” the former chief minister said while responding to a query on whether there is a possibility of the two former allies coming together again.
Fadnavis added, “Our friend (read Shiv Sena) contested the 2019 Assembly elections with us. But after polls, they (Sena) joined hands with the very people (NCP and Congress) against whom we contested the polls”.
When asked about his recent meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the possibility of the BJP and Shiv Sena coming together again, Fadnavis said, “There are no ifs and buts in politics. Decisions are taken as per prevailing situations”.
Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut tried to dismiss “rumours” about his meeting with BJP leader Ashish Shelar on Saturday.
“The more such rumours spread, the stronger the MVA alliance will become. We may have political and ideological differences, but if we come face-to-face at public functions, we will cordially greet each other. I have had coffee with Shelar openly,” the Sena’s chief spokesperson had said.
Last month, Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik had written a letter to chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, urging him to join hands with the BJP ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) elections.
The Maharahstra Congress had earlier hinted that the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance with Shiv Sena and NCP is not permanent and indicated that it may go solo in future elections.
(With inputs from PTI)