About a year after the Shiv Sena passed a resolution to contest all elections independently, the party joined hands with the BJP again for the upcoming elections – Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly polls.
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut gave an interview to The Indian Express, a day after the deal was formalised by both parties.
Here are few excerpts from Raut's interview with TIE:
Whether Agreeing to Equal Number of Seats in Maharashta is a Compromise for Shiv Sena
When asked if agreeing on the same amount of seats is a compromise for his party, Raut said that his party is still a 'big brother' in the state. He reasoned saying that the BJP is positive about giving the chief ministership to Shiv Sena.
“The BJP had won 123 seats and Sena 63 in the 2014 Assembly polls. Despite this, the BJP has agreed for equal seat-sharing and has also agreed to give us the seats of our choice.”Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena leader
Whether Sena Will Keep the CM Chair for Full Term
When asked if the Shiv Sena will keep the CM chair for the full term, he said that it will be looked upon later. "I can tell you that there will be a Shiv Sena CM."
On Shiv Sena's U-Turn on Alliance With the BJP
Raut said that the Shiv Sena’s announcement to go solo was according to public sentiment. However, since this is politics, everyone has to take tough decisions which are not taken from the heart but as part of political strategy, Raut said.
“We will tell people about the alliance. We need to convince Shiv Sainiks and people who always felt the Sena should contest the polls solo. It’s a big challenge for us.”
On What Changed Since the Time BJP Was Accused of Ill-Treating Allies
Raut said that Sena has given a second chance to the BJP.
Whether Sena is Worried of BJP Taking Over Maharashtra
Raut says that the BJP can never take over Shiv Sena's place in the state. He said that “taking them (BJP) in our folds” doesn't mean they can take over Sena's space.
“You might take Sena’s space but how can you take Sena’s mardani himatichi chaati (machismo).”
Will Shiv Sena Contest Lok Sabha Polls Outside Maharashtra?
Yes, the party will contest from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jammu among others, Raut told The Indian Express.
On Whether PM Modi is Still the PM Face of NDA
On if Shiv Sena is comfortable with PM Modi being the PM face again, Raut went on to criticise PM Modi's policies, saying that Sena has always spoken the truth.
He further said that there is Uddhav Thackeray in Maharashtra, there is Nitish Kumar in Bihar, who is being seen as the face of NDA in his state, and there is Prakash Singh Badal in Punjab.
On His Column Saying Gadkari is Waiting for a Hung Assembly
Raut first clarified that he had not backed Gadkari for PM.
“If the BJP wins 100 seats less than the last time, the NDA will decide who will become the prime minister.”
On Whether Priyanka Gandhi Will Benefit Congress in UP
“It surely will. Though SP and BSP have their base, there is a section which still loves the Congress and the Gandhi family.”Sanjay Raut to The Indian Express
(With inputs from The Indian Express.)
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