Shiv Sena looking for tie-up with BJP in UP: Uddhav Thackeray

Nagpur, Apr 1 (UNI) Shiv Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray has said the party would like to have an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh along the lines of the one it has in Maharashtra.

Speaking to mediapersons here today, Mr Thackeray however said the Shiv Sena had not held any discussion so far with the BJP leadership about a possible tie-up in UP for the forthcoming Assembly Elections there.

''Discussion was likely to be held in the coming weeks,'' he said.

Mr Thackeray said he met Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief K S Sudershan at the organisation's headquarters here this morning.

During the meeting, the Sarsanghachalak underlined the need to make Hinduism more aggressive, the Shiv Sena leader said.

The RSS chief expressed concern at the threat to Hinduism in the country, citing the 'Ramsetu' (Adam's Bridge) canal scheme and the inclusion of a 'cross' on the new two-rupee coins, Mr Thackeray said. Mr Sudershan was also worried at the frequency at which elections were being held in the country, which left political leaders little time to tackle people's problems, the Shiv Sena leader added.

Mr Thackeray said he sought the Sarsanghachalak's blessings for the April nine by-elections to the Lok Sabha being held from Ramtek, Erandol and Jalgaon constituencies in Maharashtra.

The by-poll in Ramtek had been imposed on the people for the personal gains of one person, Mr Thackeray alleged and added that Subodh Mohite and Narayan Rane had quit the Shiv Sena because he had frustrated their designs to make the party their personal fiefdom.

Mr Mohite had also broken discipline, including appointment of office bearers without approval from the party leadership, Mr Thackeray alleged. Disciplinary action was not initiated against Mr Mohite because he was a responsible leader, but he had been given a warning, the Shiv Sena Executive President added.

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