Will you take anybody’s support to be in power: Sena chief asks ally BJP

Mumbai: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has put BJP on notice asking it to clarify its ties with rival MNS led by estranged cousin Raj Thackeray.

He taunted its alliance partner asking whether it would be okay for it to take anybody's support like AAP did with Congress in Delhi.

"BJP should clarify who is authorised in Maharashtra BJP to take decisions," Uddhav told reporters after a meeting of his party office-bearers and Lok Sabha candidates.

Uddhav was later scheduled to meet Rajiv Pratap Rudy, deputed by BJP President Rajnath Singh to allay tension. The Shiv Sena was angry with Nitin Gadkari for talking to Raj about the Lok Sabha elections.

Posing questions to the BJP, Uddhav, without naming his cousin, hit out saying that some people would do anything to be in power.

He said the Sena has good equations with Gopinath Munde and his team. "However, some people suddenly jumped in the middle to take credit," he added.

"If need arises, will you (BJP) take anybody's support... like that done by Kejriwal... or like former Prime Minister Chandrashekhar who took support of Rajiv Gandhi? Will they take support of Congress also if needed?" Uddhav asked.

If such is the matter, then what is the difference between Kejriwal and us, he asked.

"We (Shiv Sena-BJP) have come together on the issue of hindutva. We were with them even when they were in crisis... however, now the situation has started improving (for them)," he pointed out.

Uddhav also said would talk to BJP chief Rajnath Singh on the issue, which has strained the relationship between the two-decade-old alliance partners.

MNS recently declared it would challenge the Sena in all seats in Lok Sabha polls, but will support Narendra Modi's candidacy as Prime Minister.

Earlier, seeking to placate the Shiv Sena which is miffed over the recent thaw between BJP and MNS, Maharashtra BJP president Devendra Fadnavis met Uddhav.

"I conveyed to Uddhavji that BJP considers Sena its natural and trusted ally," Fadnavis said after the meeting.