Modi’s party loses ally
NEW DELHI — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governing party suffered a setback in western Maharashtra state on Monday when its longtime ally broke away and announced it wants to join two other parties in forming a new government.
The Shiv Sena split with Mr Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party and decided to try to form a coalition government with the BJP’s key opponents, the Congress party and Nationalist Congress Party.
While an agreement on forming a government has not been finalised, the split between the former allies is seen as a setback for Mr Modi’s party after it retained national power in a May general election.
Aaditya Thackeray of the Shiv Sena told reporters his party is ready to form the government in Maharashtra and is waiting to receive letters of support from the two other parties.