Despite its constant criticism of the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena will have to ally with the BJP for the 2019 polls over the issue of Hindutva, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Tuesday. He also strongly favoured construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya. He said those with even basic understanding of politics know the BJP and the Sena would have to fight together to win elections.

The BJP chief minister was speaking at the "Mumbai Manthan" conclave organised by Hindi news channel Aaj Tak. Earlier this year, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray had announced his party would go it alone in all future elections. Though the Sena is a BJP ally, it often criticises the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra over their policies and decisions. "Uddhav ji keeps talking talking about Hindutva. In that case, there are just two parties (the BJP and the Sena) working for Hindutva. Therefore, they have to ally with us for Hindutva," Fadnavis said. Responding to a query on Ram temple, he said, "Devendra Fadnavis is one of the 125 crore Indians who wants to see a grand Ram temple being built,".