Sena-BJP ties may snap on renewed tension

The developments over the weekend indicate that the divorce between the Shiv Sena and the BJP may come sooner than later.

While the Shiv Sena's mouthpiece, Samna, came out in support of the nuclear deal, which the BJP has criticised, state BJP President Nitin Gadkari dined with the bete noire of Sena's Executive President Uddhav Thackeray and President of the Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS), Raj Thackeray.

Also, former RSS spokesman and senior RSS leader MG Vaidya, in his column in the Sunday edition of the Sangh mouthpiece, Tarun Bharat, advised the BJP to snap ties with the Sena. The widespread perception in the political circles is that what Vaidya said is RSS' official line. Vaidya's article says, "Throughout the period of the alliance, the BJP has chosen to play a second fiddle, but the BJP workers are no longer in a mood to carry on." The BJP, he said, was a national party and should take its decisions keeping in mind the national perspective. He also highlighted how the Sena chose to toe the Marathi line during the presidential poll instead of going with its partner.

The editorial in Samna's Saturday edition comes down heavily on the Left parties and takes potshots at the BJP. It calls the Left parties "anti-national and agents of China."

Sources in the state BJP indicated the party was seriously considering tying up with the MNS. However Gadkari claimed he visited Raj's residence as a friend. "We meet socially many times along with our families as our family members also share close ties," he said.