Mumbai: On the 65th foundation day of Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena on Friday pledged to the people that it would 'always protect the 'unity and integrity' of the state'.

In veiled note of caution to its ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Shiv Sena said its youthful chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was born much after the state was founded, is in favour of smaller states, including Vidarbha.