The Shiv Sena has firmly dismissed speculation of any third party joining the existing alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Recently BJP leader Gopinath Munde was hinting that a third entity, possibly the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena(MNS), could be part of the 22- year- old alliance.
The Sena mouthpiece, Saamna, in an editorial on Tuesday said, while it had special affection for Mr. Munde, there was no need for a third party in the alliance. Mr. Munde said at a public meeting that he could do anything, even perform miracles and a third party could enter the Sena-BJP alliance. The editorial said the alliance was based on Hindutva and it was the only solution for all ills in Maharashtra. There was no need for any other alternatives.
After the visit of MNS president to the BJP State headquarters last year, rumours were rife about a possible tie-up, which have been repeatedly scotched by both the alliance partners. BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad too clarified on Sunday that the alliance was strong and any decision to join forces with another party would be taken at the national level.
Describing the alliance as a miracle, the editorial said that it was working well but there were attempts to create discord. The alliance had survived despite the odds and the Sena was not in this for any selfish gains. The BJP expressed happiness that the new generation of party leaders was from Maharashtra and said the alliance in Maharashtra, and the BJP-Akali Dal alliance in the Punjab were the basis for the National Democratic Alliance.
