BJP leader Lanka Dinakar: 'Shiv Sena should moderate stance'

Amid the impasse over the formation of a new government in Maharashtra, BJP leader Lanka Dinakar on Sunday said that Shiv Sena should form the government with BJP. He further said that the Shiv Sena should moderate its stance as people of Maharashtra gave a mandate to BJP. Speaking to ANI, Dinakar said,

"BJP never encourages dynastic politics. We also did not see dynastic politics promotion by Bal Thackeray. Now, the Shiv Sena has changed its stance. As far as the BJP is concerned, our strike was very good in Maharashtra where we won 105 seats out of 164. Devendra Fadnavis secured the mandate of the people. We gave 124 seats to Shiv Sena. But they hardly got 50 seats. The Shiv Sena should think in a friendly way and partner with their natural ally which is BJP.  

The Sena demanded that if BJP wants to rule then it must have a majority and form the government. If the BJP claims to have a majority, why does it not form the government the article asked, adding, 'The country is not in anyone's pocket'.

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Shiv Sena's warning to BJP

Amidst the power tussle in Maharashtra, Sena warned the BJP to not be arrogant of its power and said that making such statements would amount to the public thinking that the President of India (Ram Nath Kovind) is under the BJP's control and the party resorts to using any means to come to power. "Should the people believe that the BJP will declare President's rule if it does come to power — as though the President is held firmly in BJP's fist and the BJP has the President's rubber stamp in its Maharashtra office?" Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut told reporters that the new Maharashtra chief minister will be from the Sena. If the Sena decides, it can get the required numbers to form a stable government in Maharashtra, he said. 

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(With Inputs from ANI)