New Delhi: Trying to queer the pitch for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Shiv Sena on Saturday spoke of the possibility of former President Pranab Mukherjee being a “consensus candidate” to lead an NDA government if the BJP fails to get a majority on its own in the 2019 general elections.
The Sena, miffed ever since the BJP staked claim to the chief minister’s post in Maharashtra though it was considered the “big brother”, and rejected Sena’s demand for two additional Cabinet berths in the Modi government, has on various occasions criticised the BJP and its leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and taken an opposing stand.
Sena had supported suggestions of a second term for Dr Mukherjee as President. And recently, Sena supported the perceived remarks by Congress president Rahul Gandhi on being a PM aspirant and had added, with wicked intent, that “for us even (NCP supremo) Sharad Pawar is a suitable candidate” for the PM post. Despite all this, and the Sena continues to be in the NDA.
Sena’s comments are sure to irritate the BJP at a time when the BJP is trying to put its house in order. While the recent meeting between Mr Shah and Mr Thackery failed to resolve the simmering issues between the two allies, another meeting of the NDA allies is said to be on the cards to iron out differences ahead of the 2019 electoral battle.
