Shiv Sena mocks Amit Shah ahead of his meet with Uddhav Thackeray

Hours ahead of his meeting with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, the Shiv Sena mocked BJP chief Amit Shah's 'Sampark for Samarthan' drive, hinting at plans to go solo in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

In an editorial published in party mouthpiece Saamana, the Shiv Sena said the general elections next year could be one of the "motives" behind Shah's outreach programme. "The Narendra Modi government has lost its touch with those on its side and it is ideal for it to look for the reasons behind it," the editorial said.

Pointing to its performance in the recently held Palghar bypoll, the Shiv Sena its mouthpiece 'Saamana', said the result in the polls has given them a message that they don't require any 'poster boy' (read Prime Minister Narendra Modi) to contest elections.

It also indirectly criticised the BJP's 'Sampark for Samarthan' (Contact for Support) campaign, which is being promoted by party president Amit Shah.

"Why is the BJP doing 'Sampark for Samarthan' campaign after their defeat in the recently-held bypolls. Shiv Sena will fightthe 2019 general elections on its own strength. The Palghar bypoll has shown the power of the party. Despite being in power, the BJP has lost its connection with the people. A party like Shiv Sena has always moved ahead keeping in mind 'jansampark' (interaction with people) and 'janadhar' ( for the benefit of people), and, it doesn't require any poster boy to fight or win an election," reads the editorial.

Taking on the central government over the petrol rate hike and farmers' agitations across the country, the editorial said, "At a time when petrol prices have agitated the country and farmers are on strike, the government's dialogue with the farmer isn't happening."

The editorial has been published on a day when Uddhav Thackeray and Amit Shah are scheduled to meet in Mumbai as part of BJP's outreach programme.

Shah has launched a new outreach programme which involves meetings and photo opportunities with eminent personalities across different fields.

Shah has met former army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag, former cricket captain Kapil Dev, yoga guru Ramdev and former Chief Justice of India RC Lohati. He is also scheduled to meet actor Madhuri Dixit to day in Mumbai while a meet with industrialist Ratan Tata and singer Lata Mangeshkar is expected later in the day.

OneIndia News (with agency inputs)