BJP confident of establishing foothold in new areas: Pawar

Kolhapur, Sep 10 (UNI) BJP Maharashtra unit vice-president Sambhajirao Pawar today said his party could establish a foothold into new areas even if its relations with Shiv Sena were severed in the state.

Talking to newspersons here, Mr Pawar said the alliance between the BJP and the Sena was still continuing despite the latter voting for UPA's nominee Pratibha Patil during the Presidential polls, playing the Marathi 'manoos' card. Because of this, the relations between the two had strained a bit, he said.

Replying to a question, he admitted that the relationship between the allies had worsened and said the party high command would decide on the issue.

When asked whether the party was looking for an alternative partner, Mr Pawar declined to comment on the issue.

The state BJP unit has selected Chandrakant Patil as the party's candidate for the Pune graduate constituency, he announced.

UNI