Shiv Sena UBT dismisses possibility of joining NDA

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) on Thursday rubbished the claims that Uddhav Thackeray is mulling to return to the National Democratic Alliance. The party said “roumous” are being floated after the BJP failed to get a clear majority, but Uddhav has no plans to go back to NDA. Sanjay Raut said that though the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “forcibly” forming the government for the third time, it will not survive for long. He claimed he has reliable information that the RSS is looking to replace Modi.

According to some reports, the BJP has started back channel talks with Uddhav Thackeray to bring him back in the NDA and a Union minister has been entrusted with the job. However, the Shiv Sena (UBT) rejected the reports. The party spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi posted on his social media account that the rumours are being floated by “godi media” of PM Modi. She claimed first the rumours were floated that Mr. Modi is returning to power with a thumping majority and when that did not happen, rumours have been started about Uddhav’s return to the NDA. “This will not happen,” she said.

Uddhav’s son Aaditya also said that his party’s fight against “dictatorship” will continue. “To all the INDIA voters and karyartas, we have fought valiantly for our nation, our constitution and our democracy. A landmark has been achieved, and the fight shall not end till we secure it fully,” he said.

The Sharad Pawar faction leader Jayant Patil also dismissed the possibility of Uddhav Thackeray shifting his allegiance. He expressed confidence that Uddhav will remain committed to the INDIA bloc and will not change his current stand regarding the BJP.

Meanwhile, Mr. Raut said that if Mr. Modi tries to become prime Mr. Modi is facing opposition within the party. My information is that the Sangh’s top leadership is working to look for an alternative. The elections were fought under him, and it (BJP) did not get a majority. The next government will be formed with the help of crutches (support of other parties),” the Rajya Sabha member said.

A source from the BJP said it will be difficult to convince Uddhav as well as Eknath Shinde to remain part of the NDA at the same time. The BJP cannot afford to offend the Maharashtra chief minister and Uddhav is also not likely to patch up with Mr. Shinde.

In the just concluded Lok Sabha elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) contested 21 seats in Maharashtra and won nine. On the other hand, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena contested 15 seats and won seven of them. The two parties contested against each other on 13 seats, out of which Shiv Sena UBT won six and Mr. Shinde’s party won seven.