In an indication that friction between the BJP and the Shiv Sena over the post of Maharashtra chief minister would increase in the run-up to polls, senior BJP leader Chandrakant Patil on Wednesday took a veiled dig at the Uddhav Thackeray-led party over its "ambition" to helm the affairs.
Patil, who heads the state BJP unit, also said that it was not yet confirmed whether BJP president and Union Home Minister Amit Shah would kick-start Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' 'Maha Janadesh Yatra' beginning August 1.
When asked by reporters about Yuva Sena president Aaditya Thackeray holding similar public rallies, Patil said, "It is a welcoming decision as each party has the right to expand its base".
He, however, maintained that every party can claim the post of chief minister, "but it is not necessary that all the ambitions would come true".
"If the Sena has 'decided' on something, I am not aware of it," he said apparently referring to the Thackeray senior's oft-repeated "aamach tharalay" (we have decided) remark regarding seat-sharing and alliance with the BJP for polls.
Sena has staked claim for the post of chief minister in the event of the BJP-led NDA government returning to power after the assembly elections, due in September-October this year.
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In remarks that were seen as a mild rebuke to Aaditya, Fadnavis had said on July 21 that he would return for a second term as chief minister.
When asked whether Shah would flag-off the 'Maha Janadesh Yatra', Patil said, "I cannot confirm his attendance because the duration of the ongoing Lok Sabha session has been extended till August 11. Once we get the confirmation, we will make it official," Patil said.
Patil, who also heads Revenue ministry, said some "big shot politicians" might cross over to the BJP during the CM's mass outreach programme.
"I cannot reveal it as of now, but you should not be surprised if some important political big-shots from the opposition ranks join the BJP," he said.
Fadnavis will be covering at least 150 out of the total 288 Assembly constituencies in the state during the nearly one-month long yatra.
The rally will kick-start from Mozari in Amravati district in east Maharashtra, where late saint Tukadoji Maharaj has his mutt, and culminate in Nashik in north Maharashtra on August 31, Patil said.
"All ministers will be present on the first day of the rally in Mozari and on last day in Nashik. I hope ministers from the Shiv Sena will also respect our invitation and attend the rally," he said.
Meanwhile, Sujitsingh Thakur, head of the planning department of the rally, said the chief minister would cover the distance of 4,384 kms and address 87 big public rallies besides 57 welcome meetings.
The rally is scheduled to cover maximum areas in the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions where the CM will be covering a distance of more than 1,000 kms.