Two days after a placatory call from Narendra Modi, the Shiv Sena once again warned the BJP not to betray its allies.
“Backstabbing is not part of our Hindutva. If you want to gain power in Delhi then you have to create the atmosphere of trust within your allies. If you let down those who stood by you through thick and thin, you will acquire the tag of a betrayer,” an editorial in the Sena organ, Saamna, said on Thursday.
The party has been upset at the BJP making overtures to Raj Thackeray whose Maharashtra Navanirman Sena is a direct political rival of the Shiv Sena.
The editorial said Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray had refused to allow Shankarsinh Vaghela [Gujarat leader] to enter the party. “He did not backstab his ally. It was because of Balasaheb’s stand that Narendra Modi is enjoying power in Gujarat.”
Later, Sena president Uddhav Thackeray said the editorial was written to remove possible glitches within the alliance. “We have spoken to the BJP’s central leadership and expect only them to respond to our queries.”
In its reaction, the BJP described the editorial as friendly advice. “As far as the matter between the Sena and the BJP is concerned, we have sorted it out and there is no issue now,” said party spokesperson Prakash Javdekar.
Meanwhile, in a sign of reconciliation, the Sena has asked its second nominee in the coming Legislative Council polls to withdraw his candidature. For the March 20 poll for nine Council seats, 10 candidates had filed their papers and the BJP and the Sena were pitted against each other for the last seat.