Sena 'betrayed' BJP, public mandate in Maharashtra: Fadnavis

Former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday accused Shiv Sena of 'betraying' public mandate by forging an alliance with NCP and Congress to form government after state elections.

Addressing a rally here, Fadnavis asked people to give a befitting reply to Uddhav Thackeray-led party in upcoming zilla parishad polls in Palghar. It is unfortunate that Shiv Sena has to compromise with those who 'abused' Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar, BJP leader said, wondering how many days Thackeray-led government will survive amid 'infighting'.

Sena t only 'betrayed' public mandate but also its pre-poll ally BJP with which it jointly contested Assembly elections, he alleged. Fadnavis said in Assembly polls held in October last year, BJP won 70 per cent of seats that it contested and emerged as single largest party, while Shiv Sena bagged only 45 per cent of seats that it fought.

'Citizens gave a clear mandate to BJP-Shiv Sena combine, but unfortunately due to betrayal by Sena, which joined hands with NCP and Congress, BJP has to remain out of power,' leader of opposition in Assembly said. Hitting out at Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray for 'betraying' BJP, he said from day one (since Sena formed government with NCP and Congress), three parties were t able to decide names of ministers.

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'Even after selection of ministers, re is growing discontent among Shiv Sena leaders and activists, and in case of Congress, its activists have even gone to extent of ransacking ir party offices,' he said. tably, some supporters of Congress MLA Sangram Thopte attacked party office in Pune on Tuesday to protest against his n-inclusion in Maharashtra ministry.

Fadnavis said people of Maharashtra gave a 'clear majority to BJP-Shiv Sena combine' to form government, but later things took a different turn and citizens have a witness to political developments in state. 'It is unfortunate that it took weeks (for Thackeray-led alliance) to finalise government formation and n form Cabinet,' BJP leader said.

On farm loan waiver scheme anunced by Thackeray, he said, 'It is thing but an eyewash and several conditions are attached to it, as a result of which nearly 60 lakh farmers in state will t get benefit of scheme.' Shiv Sena made 'tall claims' that 7/12 (land title) of farmers would be wiped clean (of liabilities).

'y have taken farmers for a ride and ne of m will get benefit,' Fadnavis said, while recalling that Thackeray had earlier demanded Rs 25,000 per hectare for farmers who suffered from crop losses. 'w, y have gone back on ir word,' he alleged. Fadnavis said when Shiv Sena is queried about it, party points fingers at Prime Minister Narendra Modi (for assistance).

'Did you ask Modiji when you joined hands with NCP and Congress? doubt, Modiji will help you, but remember farmers and citizens of state will make your (Shiv Sena's) political slate blank and show you door,' he said. This government will be controlled t from 'Matoshree' (Thackeray's residence in Mumbai), but by 'Matoshree of Delhi', Fadnavis said in sarcastic remarks, apparently referring to top Congress leadership.

On Uddhav Thackeray's comments that he gave a word to his far late Balasaheb Thackeray of making a Shiv Sainik chief minister of Maharashtra, Fadnavis asked if CM said he would do so with help of NCP and Congress. 'Balashaeb will be crying in heaven if he learns about Sena's move in state politics,' he said. He asked BJP activists to go to every house in Palghar and tell m about work done by party in last five years. 

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