BJP wooing dalits via Kovind: Shiv Sena

Mumbai: Hardening his stance toward BJP, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said that he was ready for mid-term assembly elections in Maharashtra anytime. “I am not worried about elections. I am worried about farmers committing suicides. If you want to hold elections, hold them now. Our cadre will give you a befitting reply,” he said. Uddhav’s statement comes just a day after his meeting with BJP chief Amit Shah in Mumbai.

Sena completed 51 years on Monday and the party held its annual foundation day at Shanmukhananda Hall, Mumbai. On the occasion, Uddhav addressed his party workers on various issues including presidential elections, loan waiver and the political situation in the state.

With the BJP having decided the same day on Bihar governor Ramnath Kovind’s candidature for presidential elections, Mr Shah called Uddhav requesting the Sena’s support. Uddhav started his speech with the same. “Kovind’s name is being proposed just for the sake of Dalit votes. Sena has never engaged in caste-based politics. We do not support this,” he said. However, he was quick to add that his party would take the decision whether to support Kovind on Tuesday after considering all factors.

Uddhav also expressed his views on the farmer loan waiver, saying that the government should not insist on tough parameters while giving relief to farmers. “We are keenly watching the developments regarding loan waiver. We will not allow such parameters that will not help farmers. If the government tries to cheat them, Sena will throw the loan waiver papers as trash,” he said.