Uddhav puts ball in BJP's court over alliance

Mumbai, July 9: Shiv Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray has said that more than two decades old Sena-BJP alliance would continue only if the BJP wanted.

''Shiv Sena wants the alliance formed on the common Hindutva agenda to continue. But, we will accept whatever decision BJP takes.

We do not want to pour oil in the fire. If BJP wants the alliance, then it will continue,'' Uddhav told CNN-IBN in an interview which was telecast yesterday.

He was responding to questions on the strain in ties between the two saffron parties over support to UPA-Left Presidential candidate Mrs Pratibha Patil.

Shiv Sena'a decision to support Mrs Patil has angered the BJP. The party has made it clear that it will take a decision on continuance of the alliance after the Presidential elections on July 19.

Uddhav's quotes from the interview were published in the Shiv Sena mouthpiece ''Saamna'' today.

Mr Thackeray said the candidature of Mrs Patil was a matter of great pride. ''It is for the first time that a Maharashtrian especially a woman is going to serve the nation as its first citizen. As a Maharashtrian, I derive great sense of pride in this development,''he said.

Responding to questions, Mr Thackeray said the Chief Minister of the state after the 2009 assembly elections will be from the Shiv Sena. The name would be decided by the Sena chief Bal Thackeray, he added.

UNI

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