Rajnath convenes meeting on Shiv Sena issue

New Delhi, July 27: BJP President Rajnath Singh has convened a high-level meeting next week to discuss the issue of its alliance with the Shiv Sena. The ties between the conventional allies soured ever since Shiv Sena voted against NDA backed in dependent nominee Bhairon Singh Shekhawat in the recently-concluded Presidential election.

Mr Singh said the BJP did have issue-based alliances with various regional outfits and often partners were allowed to take their own stand on issues.

The Shiv Sena issue would be discussed in detail and a decision would be taken whether the alliance should continue or not, Mr Singh added.

Both the BJP and Shiv Sena had been contesting elections in Maharashtra as "natural" allies to each other. But, party sources said, there was tremenduous pressure from the Maharashtra BJP unit to sever ties with the Shiv Sena as it would be beneficial for the party to go it alone in the next elections in the state.

The Central leadership, the sources said, was still having a soft attitude towards Thackeray's outfit, looking into the allinace in a broader prospective.

UNI