The Shiv Sena  Sena has roped in McDonald's to sponsor a convention of the prospective 'Shiv Vadapav' vendors in Mumbai.

"An organisation of Vadapav vendors in Mumbai is being floated under the auspices of the Shiv Sena and interested people should enroll their names at Sena Bhavan," said the Saamana paper.

"The convention will deliberate on the standard formula to make the 'Shiv Vadapav' before it hits the stalls and the salient feature of the gathering is the sponsorship of McDonald's," today's announcement said.

When the Working President of the Sena Uddhav Thackeray came out with the plan to vend 'Shiv Vadapav' some time back, the move drew flak from the state Deputy Chief minister and NCP leader R R Patil who said it would belittle the name and image of the Maratha warrior king Shivaji, the pride of Maharashtra.

The Sena had vehemently countered the criticism saying its Supremo Bal Thackeray had encouraged the sale of the spicy popular Maharashtrian snack 40 years ago as a means of earning livelihood for unemployed Marathi youths.

"A meeting was held with McDonald's CMD Amit Jetiya and he readily accepted the suggestion to associate with the Shiv Vada venture," Saamana said.