Maharashtra Election Twist: Amit Shah ends BJP's speculation, big relief for Shiv Sena

Mumbai, July 16: Long time ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (

) in

--

might be relieved now as the BJP President

put an end to all speculations regarding party's election plan in the state.

Reacting against a few BJP leaders' demand of snubbing allies during the upcoming assembly election in Maharashtra, Shah on Tuesday, July 15 claimed that BJP would maintain its 28-year-old alliance with Shiv Sena and other parties in the state. Shah, who took an initiative of meeting Maharashtra unit's core committee, met leaders in New Delhi on Tuesday.

During their meeting in the national capital, Shah claimed that the ‘Maha Yuti' (grand alliance) comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, the Republican Party of India, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, and Rashtriya Samaj Paksha will fight the election together with the sole objective of dislodging the 15-year-old Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) government in the state.

In the recent Lok Sabha election, the BJP's grand alliance has won 42 of the total 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra.

BJP's grand alliance has won 42 of the total 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra

However, Shah also left a door open for Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) which is led by Raj Thackeray. Despite the opposition of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray against his cousin brother Raj, Shah asked state BJP leaders to explore the possibility of roping in like-minded parties in the Maha Yuti.

A BJP leader, who was present at the meeting, was quoted as saying, "The party president directed the state unit to strengthen booth-level organisational setup and gear up efforts to reach out maximum number of voters."

The leader also added, "Amit ji was quite clear in his observation that the BJP and other members of Maha Yuti can arrive at seat-sharing arrangement by protecting their respective interests. He also indicated that the BJP won't go alone, but Maha Yuti will together take on the ruling Congress-NCP alliance for its defeat."

The BJP President asked the state leaders to organise district-wise meetings to be addressed by the BJP ministers during election campaign. Maharashtra is expected to go in poll by the end of 2014.

OneIndia News