Amit Shah's remarks about Bharatiya Janata Party leading the next government in Maharashtra have ruffled feathers in its elder ally Shiv Sena's camp. But the saffron party has downplayed it.
"I don't think his comments have adversely affected Shiv Sena in any manner," senior Sena leader Sanjay Raut told The Hindu on Sunday. On Saturday, Mr. Shah had said during a BJP workers' rally in Delhi that the party will lead in the coming state legislative elections in Maharashtra, and will nominate its Chief Minister.
"Leaders engage in such talks to encourage and inspire the party workers. There is nothing wrong with it. After winning the Lok Sabha elections, they obviously feel that they should win at the State level too," he said.
Sena Chief Minister
When asked about the BJP leading the alliance in Maharashtra, which would be a departure from the previous position of Sena playing the elder brother, Mr. Raut said, "The Chief Minister will of course belong to Shiv Sena. That is the tacit understanding between both the parties. We support BJP at the Centre. At the State level, they support us."
But senior Shiv Sena leaders told The Hindu on condition of anonymity that Mr. Shah's remarks had evoked anger among the Shiv Sainiks. "Of course we are angry. This is not in keeping with the alliance-dharma. But we will channelise this anger to win the coming State legislature elections," a senior leader said.
"Our party cadres have taken this statement as a challenge. Now we will show BJP how we win more seats than they can," another senior leader said.
Sena leader Diwakar Raote said the Shiv Sena welcomed Mr Shah's statement. "Our goal is to create Congress-NCP-free Maharashtra. The issues of seat distribution and leadership are important. The Chief Minister will belong to Shiv Sena," he said.
