Sena-BJP alliance will remain intact: Manohar Joshi

Ahmednagar, July 16 (UNI) Shiv Sena leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi, while maintaining that the Presidential elections and the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance are two different issues, has said that the alliance will remain intact.

''The Saffron alliance is founded on the ''Hindutava'' plank and will never break,'' Mr Joshi emphasised while speaking to reporters at Shirdi near here today after visiting the famed Sai Baba temple.

Strongly defending the Shiv Sena's stand of supporting United Progressive Alliance nominee Pratibha Patil for the President's post, Mr Joshi pointed out that the Shiv Sena was born with the sole purpose of safeguarding the interests of the Marathi people.

'' Therefore, if the Sena has extended support to Ms Patil, what is wrong about it?'' Mr Joshi asked.

It is for the first time that a Marathi woman is set to occupy the country's top post and, therefore, we are supporting her and not because she is an UPA nominee, Mr Joshi pointed out.

Meanwhile, Mr Joshi said the Maharashtra government proposes to bring a Bill that is aimed at gaining control over temples adding that the Shiv Sena is opposed to any such move. He said the proposed bill is highly discriminatory as the Government proposes to govern only Hindu temples but places of worship of other religions do not fall under the ambit of the Bill.

Religion is the sphere of religious leaders and politicians should not interfere in such matters, Mr Joshi said.

UNI