Deal with me first, then Modi: Fadnavis tells Uddhav

Mumbai: After lower rung leaders of the Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) hurled mud at each other, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray challenged the highest authority in the BJP — Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr Thackeray had recently dared Mr Modi to campaign for the civic polls in Mumbai, to which CM Devendra Fadnavis, the BJP’s face for coming elections, asked Mr Thackeray to deal with him first and talk about Mr Modi afterwards. This exchange between high-ranking leaders indicates that coming days state will see fireworks from the both of them.

While addressing rally in Chandivali, Mr Thackeray challenged Prime Minister Modi to come to BMC to campaign. “I am waiting for Modiji to come for campaign for the BMC. If he comes, the chances of us winning increases,” said the Sena chief, who then repeated this in his every rally since.  When asked about Mr Thackeray’s comments, Mr Fadnavis said, “Why you want Modiji? First fight with me and then only talk about Modiji!” Mr Fadnavis also rebutted the Sena’s barbs over the state government being unstable, declaring, “My government is going to complete a full five-year term.”

His comment comes after Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut has called state government unstable and surviving only on ‘notice period’.

The fiery exchange between both leaders has come after their parties snapped pre-poll ties ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Council elections.