Shiv Sena downplays PM's snub ahead of seat-sharing decision

The Shiv Sena known to take jibes at the Opposition and its ally mdash the Bhartiya Janata Party BJP mdash through its mouthpiece Saamana chose to downplay PM Narendra Modis recent snubbing of Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray over his demand for construction of Ram Mandir in AyodhyaSena president Uddhav Thackeray said his wasnt bayaanbaji making unwarranted statements and avoided an aggressive retort The newspaper reported Modis barb in a very mild manner without reproducing the words badbole and bayan bahadur bigmouths that was intentionally used for the Sena chiefModi had called the party leaders badbole bayaan bahadur in Nashik on Thursday and appealed to them to have trust in the Supreme Court which is expected to deliver a verdict soon I wonder why some badbole and bayaan bahadur are making unwarranted statements over Ram Mandir People are expected to have respect for and trust in the Supreme Court and Dr Ambedkars constitution The court is hearing everyone I wonder where these bayaan bahadurs have come from Why are they creating hurdles I request them to keep their eyes shut for the sake of Prabhu Ram and respect the countrys judiciary he said without naming ThackerayWill stop if PM says soThackeray said he had spoken on behalf of the Hindus when he demanded to expedite construction of Ram Mandir and make a law to facilitate it I have faith in the judiciary But the case has been running for too long I will go to Ayodhya again he said adding that he was ready to hold on if the PM felt that the court would decide the dispute very soonIn the past Saamana had never missed an opportunity to get even with the BJP and its top leadership calling them names Saamana has been criticising the BJP government in the state and Centre despite its promoters being associates in Delhi and MumbaiFridays studied silence cannot be truly calledrapprochement but it seemed a cautious approach to bag maximum seats for the upcoming Assembly elections said a Sena leader adding that the silence showed that the Sena was on a weak turf A day after PMs Nashik meeting the Sena senior leadership went into a huddle on Friday at Dadars party headquarters Senior leader Anil Desai told media persons that the Sena leaders would discuss a wayforward in terms of poll preparationsWhen asked about uncertainty over the alliance Thackeray said that there was no issue left to be resolved We had decided the pact before the Lok Sabha polls But this time we have decided to be different in our approach We want CM Fadnavis to declare our list of candidates as well This isnt sarcasm as some have reported said the Sena president at a media conference adding that the next two days were crucial for the making the final announcementAmit Shah is expected to iron out differences and finetune the sharing on September 22 Sunday in Mumbai where he is scheduled to address BJP workers on the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir Since Kashmir issue would be the main poll plank for the BJP party workers would get a line of presentation from the partys national presidentApart from Ram Mandir the Aarey land dispute and the proposed revival of a chemical refinery at Nanar have been a bone of contention between the twoOther controversial issuesA Sena minister had put on hold implementation of Motor Vehicles Act without consulting the CM The infuriation intensified particularly in the Sena camp but a sense of profitability of going with BJP in the Assembly polls has kept the hopes alive for the allianceCommenting on Aarey Thackeray said that his party wasnt opposed to development but had reasons to seek relocation of a metro car depot We also oppose Nanar refinery for the same reasons environment and locals protest he said suggesting that if the government was going to review the Nanar proposal then people would lose trust in the current governmentHe said the Sena did not ditch the BJP government which has been in minority in the past five years We were asked about our ministers resignations when differences cropped up time and again The Sena has been with the BJP all along he said commenting on the PMs appeal for ensuring a majority for the BJPMNS to contest pollsMaharashtra Navnirman Sena MNS may contest 100 seats on its own this year Party chief Raj Thackeray held a meeting of party leaders on Friday and explored the idea of fielding candidates at 100 places where it has a presenceMNS had been in talks with NCP for an alliance but since the Congress didnt want it the Sharad Pawarled party had to give up the thoughtRaj had made the Lok Sabha poll campaign interesting by addressing independent rallies in some parts of the state His powerpoint presentations and scathing attack on the BJP attracted sizeable crowds to his speeches but the influence didnt convert into votes for the oppositionCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates