State BJP not euphoric over Sena's decision to support Najma

Mumbai, Aug 10 (UNI) Though Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray has directed his party MPs to vote in favour of NDA nominee Najma Heptullah in the vice presidential election after a telephonic conversation with BJP chief Rajnath Singh, Maharashtra BJP leaders are not very enthusiastic over the development.

''We do not want to comment on this issue,'' was the one-line reply of Maharashtra BJP chief Nitin Gadkari.

The relations between the Shiv Sena and the BJP, which have been allies for the past 23 years, soured after Shiv Sena decided to support the UPA nominee in the presidential election. After this, the BJP leaders did not approach the Sena on the vice presidential election.

Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray had earlier stated that it was for the BJP to decide, before August 10, on whether to continue the alliance with his party so that the Sena could take a firm stand on the vice presidential election. But, Mr Gadkari had said the BJP was gauging the views of the party workers and it would not be possible to declare the party stand on the alliance before the vice presidential election.

Senior Shiv Sena leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi attended the NDA meeting which helped dilute the 'differences' between the two Saffron parties.

BJP chief Rajnath Singh yesterday had a telephonic conversation with Bal Thackeray and said that everybody was of the opinion that the alliance should continue. Mr Singh requested Mr Thackeray to support the NDA nominee for the vice presidential election.

Following this, Mr Thackeray directed his MPs to support Ms Heptullah.

According to poitical observers, the BJP central leadership is keen to continue the partnership with the Sena but the state BJP leadership is not enthusiastic.

UNI