Sena in a fix over supporting Patil

Shiv Sena's stand asking candidates in the Presidential polls to clarify stand on the issue of mercy petition of Afjal Guru is a ploy to save itself the embarrassment of supporting a non-Maharashtrian when a Marathi is in the fray, political observers say.

Sena supremo, in an editorial in the party's mouthpiece on Monday, asked NDA's Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and UPA's Shivraj Patil to make their stand clear.

The editorial said just because someone is a Maharashtrian, he should not take Sena's support for granted. Sena's stand seems more damaging to the NDA than the UPA.

"In reality, it is nothing but an escape route which Sena is preparing for itself," said a senior political observer from the state who is considered close to the BJP leadership. "Sena has assured us support," he claimed.

Elaborating, he said Patil won't give any assurance to Sena or openly seek Sena's support. But Shekhawat can openly court Thackeray and seek his support and can give some vague assurance to him on this issue.

When contacted Sena's Rajya Sabha MP and spokesman Sanjay Raut said, "As Saheb has made it clear, we will like to know the positions of the respective candidates on this issue before we make our stand clear."

It is believed the Sena will make its stand clear after the UPA officially announces its candidate.