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The Times of India
The Times of India
National
Chaitanya Marpakwar | TNN

Maharashtra: 'Balasaheb Thackeray stood by PM Narendra Modi but BJP wants to finish Shiv Sena'

MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena on Thursday took a dig at BJP national president J P Nadda over his comment that regional parties including the Shiv Sena would perish. Sena mouthpiece Saamna said that "when the whole world" stood against Narendra Modi, only Balasaheb Thackeray had supported the then Gujarat CM Modi for Hindutva after the 2002 riots.

"It was his own party people that reminded Modi of 'raj dharma'... At that time, it was only the Shiv Sena chief who said, 'Keep raj dharma aside, don't touch Modi on account of Hindutva, and don't remove him from the post of CM of Gujarat.' After the riots in Gujarat, only the Sena chief stood by Modi. Now you want to finish the Sena? The Shiv Sena carried BJP on its shoulders for 25 years. Today, there is definitely a rift in the relationship, but BJP still goes around Maharashtra using the name of Balasaheb Thackeray," Saamna said.

The Sena said it wasn't taking BJP's "threats" seriously. "Regional parties are in a strong position in states like West Bengal, Kerala, Bihar, Odisha, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. After all, this is a regional identity and it will remain. Not everyone will follow you (BJP). Punjab and Delhi are ruled by AAP, which has now entered Nadda's Himachal Pradesh. Because of this, Nadda will be tired in Himachal. As they cannot fight with Shiv Sena, they split the Sena by showing the fear of ED. You will end up with a handful of people in your pockets, but Balasaheb's Shiv Sena will once again reach the skies," Saamna stated.

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