BJP broke ties as it knew Sena won't let it divide Maha: Uddhav Thackeray

Mumbai, Oct 2: Intensifying his attack against former ally BJP for ending the 25-year-old alliance over seat-sharing issue, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday alleged that the BJP broke the partnership to play 'separate Vidarbha' card to garner votes in the Assembly elections.

"You (the BJP) broke alliance with the Shiv Sena because you knew you will never be able to divide Maharashtra as long as we were there. But keep one thing in mind. We will never allow Chhatrapati Shivaji's Maharashtra to fall prey to your tactics. Maharashtra was, and will stay one," Uddhav said while addressing a rally at Phaltan in Satara district.

There have been demands from various quarters for a separate state of Vidarbha. If the Sena can stand firmly behind a political party leading to its rise in Maharashtra, it is also well poised to be the cause of downfall of the same party, he said.

"BJP has betrayed the blessings given to it by my father (Bal Thackeray). People are watching everything and they know the truth. If we could stand behind you when you were a non-entity in the state to make you an important political player, we can certainly be the cause of your downfall as well," the Sena chief said.

Even if the BJP decides to send all its Central ministers to campaign for the October 15 state polls, they will be not be able to curb the Sena's rise, he said.

"The BJP is using its entire might against us. They will be sending all the Central ministers to Maharashtra to campaign and ensure the Sena is defeated. We have nothing except the blessings of people. And we will show them what wonders can blessings do," the 54-year-old Sena leader said.

Taking a dig at former state Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Thackeray said the Congress leader started signing on files at the end of his term to show his capability.

"Prithviraj Chavan sat on files and did not take important decisions concerning Maharashtra when he was the Chief Minister. But at the end of his term, he started signing on files to show us that yes, he is capable of signing," he said.

PTI