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BJP minister questions Sena's participation in government
Exposing the uneasy
relationship between the two ruling partners in Maharashtra, a senior
BJP minister Friday virtually raised questions on ally Shiv Sena's
participation in the state government.
"If the Shiv Sena's
intention in joining the alliance was merely to provide stability to the
government, they could have done it from outside... What was the need
for it to join the government?" Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse said.
He
was referring to a statement Thursday by Shiv Sena chief Uddhav
Thackeray that since his party did not enjoy complete majority in
Maharashtra it had decided to join the BJP government and provide a
stable administration in the state.
"We are expecting good
performance from the government and we will also appreciate it. But if
any injustice is meted out to the Marathis, we shall take to the streets
and agitate," Thackeray said.
His remarks came at a glittering
premiere of "Bal-Kadu", a biopic on the party founder and his father Bal
Thackeray. The biopic was directed by MP Sanjay Raut.
Khadse
said the Shiv Sena is now a part of the government, but if its objective
was to provide stability, they could have done so from outside, without
joining the ministry.
Allies for 25 years, the two parties split
Sep 25 and fought the Oct 15 state assembly elections separately, but
both failed to get a simple majority in the house on their own.
A
month after remaining in the opposition, the Shiv Sena crossed over to
the ruling side and joined the minority government headed by Chief
Minister Devendra Fadnavis Dec 5.