'BJP to review ties with Sena after Prez polls'

Mumbai, July 15: Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj today categorically said that BJP would 'review' its ties with the Shiv Sena, with whom they have an alliance for the last 23 years, after the Presidential elections.

''We will review our ties with Shiv Sena after the Presidential election and, in this exercise, Shiv Sena's role during the Presidential election will be an important factor,'' Ms Swaraj said while talking to reporters here.

Ms Swaraj's statement assumes wide significance, more so in the wake of BJP general secretary Gopinath Munde's reported statement that the BJP ''had'' an alliance with the Sena, with an emphasis on the past tense.

The relations between the ''two natural allies'' soured after Shiv Sena decided to support UPA Presidential nominee Dr Pratibha Patil on the grounds that she will be the first Maharashtrian woman to occupy the top post.

Ms Swaraj was accompanied by Mr Munde, state BJP president Nitin Gadkari and other BJP leaders at the BJP press conference.

However, the State BJP leaders refrained from commenting on their absence at the press conference, organised by Leader of the Opposition Ramdas Kadam. They maintained that they have signed a memorandum along with Sena leaders for boycotting the customary tea party hosted by the chief minister.

UNI

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