BJP minister fears Congress may easily win polls in absence of BJP-Sena alliance
The mandate in Karnataka state assembly which gave non-National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies the opportunity to come together against Bharatiya Janata Party and staunch opposition by Shiv Sena, another ally of NDA in Palghar LS by-poll has created fear among BJP leaders. Chandrakant Patil, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minister and minister for revenue fears that the Congress can easily win the next state assembly polls if BJP and Shiv Sena contest it separately.
While addressing media on Saturday at Kolhapur, Patil said that BJP was eager to continue alliance with Sena even in the next elections. “We have need of Sena to remain in power. Even though, Sena and BJP contested solely in several local authorities election, we are still in power at the state. BJP want Sena to be with us for the development of the state.”
He said, “The alliance will not be affected by the Palghar Lok Sabha by-poll where we are contesting against each other. However, if the alliance
doesn’t continue in next assembly polls, Congress will definitely benefit and can easily come into power,” Patil said and added, “we know how Congress can run the government if it will be in power in the state.”
Patil asserted the relation between Sena and BJP has been stressed after Palghar by-poll and criticised Sena president Uddhav Thackeray for giving ticket to Srinivas Vanga, son of late BJP member of Parliament Chintaman Vanga. “Thackeray must have asked chief minister Devendra Fadnavis before giving Srinivas entry and ticket of by-poll of the party,” Patil said. “When some differences are created inside a house, its duty of the brother to resolve it instead of taking advantage of it,” said the BJP minister.