Rajnath never spoke to Thackeray on alliance continuation: Gadkari

Mumbai, Aug 17 (UNI) Bharatiya Janata Party president Rajnath Singh had never expressed to Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray that the BJP national leadership was keen on continuing the alliance with the Sena, according to Maharashtra BJP president Nitin Gadkari.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of an important meeting of the state BJP office-bearers here today, Mr Gadkari claimed that Mr Singh, instead, had conveyed to Mr Thackeray that he will have to discuss the alliance issue with the state leadership before reaching any decision. But, Mr Singh had urged the Shiv Sena to support Ms Najma Heptulla for the vice president's post.

Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray has always maintained that the BJP national leadership was in favour of the alliance. He had taunted the state BJP leadership for not following the directives of the party High Command.

Shiv Sena, which supported UPA candidate Pratibha Patil in the presidential election because of her Maharashtrian roots, however, supported Ms Heptullah in the vice-presidential election.

Mr Gadkari said in today's meeting, the issue of strained relations between the Sena and BJP is also being discussed. Central organising secretary Ram Lal and party's incharge Kaptan Singh Solanki also attended the meeting.

Mr Gadkari said after today's talks, a state executive meeting will be held before arriving at a final decision on the continuance of the alliance.

Refusing to divulge the mood of the party workers and office bearers, Mr Gadkari, however, maintained that all BJP leaders held Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray in high respect.

To a question that he is being accused of ''killing the alliance'', Mr Gadkari remarked that after the Shiv Sena's victory in the Ramtek Lok Sabha by-election, he was described as the ''saviour of the alliance''.

When pointed out that Shiv Sena district chiefs have also expressed the desire to sever ties with the BJP and contest all the 288 assembly seats in the forthcoming elections, Mr Gadkari replied, ''The Shiv Sena has the right to expand its base.'' UNI