From allies, to foes to allies again, Shiv Sena chief promises BJP in Joint rally "won't stab in the back"

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday reaffirmed his whole-hearted support to the BJP and its president Amit Shah by asserting that whatever issues they had in past are resolved and they would never 'stab it in the back'.

Thackeray made these statements while sharing the stage with senior BJP leaders during the filing of the nomination of BJP chief Amit Shah.

Speaking at a public gathering, Thackeray said: "Some people must be surprised to see me here. Some are happy but others have a stomach ache over it. Whatever we do we do with the heart. Whatever issues we raise are of people. We had some differences but we have never stabbed anyone in the back and nor will do it. We do not have any such culture."

He also outlined that despite having a difference in the past, BJP and Shiv Sena are together due to the same ideologies.

"Some people were rejoicing over the fact that parties of same ideologies are fighting among themselves. We had some issues but after we sat together we resolved all these issues. It was possible because we have the same ideology of Hinduism and nationalism", said Thackeray.

"Our hearts are together. We have thought that whatever happened in the last five years, we have to keep in mind the past 25 years as well. Twenty-five years back we were politically untouchable and no one wanted to be with us but now we have hosted the saffron flag in New Delhi", he added.

Thackeray also challenged the opposition to reveal the name of their Prime Minister candidate. "They might pretend to be together but are not united at heart. If opposition is united and strengthened they should also do a rally and ask people to raise slogan of whosoever they want to see as Prime Minister. What name will they say?" Thackeray said.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, former Chief Minister of Punjab Parkash Singh Badal, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Lok Janshakti Party president Ram Vilas Paswan were also present during the rally.

Shah is filing the nomination from Gandhi Nagar Lok Sabha constituency which was earlier represented by BJP veteran Lal Krishna Adavani.