Alliance with BJP to continue in Maha for people’s interest: Sena

MUMBAI: SENA MP SANJAY RAUT RECENTLY SAID PARTY WILL SOON DECIDE ON WHETHER TO CONTINUE IN THE COALITION

The Shiv Sena “will remain in power to protect the interests of people”, the party mouthpiece on Saturday said amid speculation that it may pull out of the BJP-led government in Maharashtra.

The frayed relationship between saffron allies — the BJP and Shiv Sena — had come under fresh strain after Sena MP Sanjay Raut had recently said his party will decide on whether to continue in the coalition government in Maharashtra.

However, an editorial in Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ said “the party would not end the coalition when assembly elections are two years away and will continue to remain in power to protect the interests of people”.

Shiv Sena has 12 ministers in the Fadnavis government, including five of the Cabinet rank. Maharashtra has a 39member council of ministers. The party has one minister in the NDA ministry at the centre.

The editorial also hit out at the railways and the central government, alleging that their apathy led to Friday’s stampede at the Elphinstone station that killed 23 people.

The Sena also took a swipe at the ambitious bullet train project from Mumbai to Ahmedabad, saying, “what is the use of the bullet train when you cannot provide basic infrastructure to local commuters?”