Is Shiv Sena exploring option of teaming up with Congress, NCP? | Mumbai news - Hindustan Times
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Is Shiv Sena exploring option of teaming up with Congress, NCP?

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | By
Feb 25, 2017 12:25 PM IST

There are reports that Shiv Sena leaders approached the state Congress leadership to explore the chances of working together. The Sena is 30 short of a majority in the BMC and the Congress has 31 corporators.

After the BMC poll results, political circles are abuzz with speculation that the Shiv Sena is weighing various options, including pulling out of the BJP-led government to team up with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party?

Members of the Shiv Sena party take part in a rally after victory in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election in Mumbai on February 23.(AFP Photo)
Members of the Shiv Sena party take part in a rally after victory in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election in Mumbai on February 23.(AFP Photo)

There are reports that Shiv Sena leaders approached the state Congress leadership to explore the chances of working together. The Sena is 30 short of a majority in the BMC and the Congress has 31 corporators.

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This fuelled speculation that the Sena leadership in keen on teaming up with the two parties in the state government too to realign political ties in Maharashtra.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray’s remarks that the next mayor of Mumbai as well as the next chief minister will be from his party have added to suspicions that he was exploring options to pull down the Devendra Fadnavis government and form a new one with NCP and Congress support.

Such speculation was further fuelled by state Congress chief Ashok Chavan’s remarks that his party would consider supporting the Sena in the BMC if it pulled out of the BJP-led government in the state.

There is no doubt that the BJP’s showing in the recent round of elections has left opposition parties very worried.

Congress leaders held a meeting at its Nariman Point office on Friday to discuss backing the Sena in the BMC, but stopped short of a decision, possibly with an eye on the ongoing assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh given the ideological differences between the two parties on Hindutva. A section of Congress leaders suggested the party tell the Sena to pull out of the state government before seeking their support in the BMC.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena is reportedly in talks with the NCP for support and a possible partnership at the State level. A proposal of Sena-NCP-Congress axis put up by a section of NCP leaders earlier may be revived in the coming days.

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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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    Surendra P Gangan is Senior Assistant Editor with political bureau of Hindustan Times’ Mumbai Edition. He covers state politics and Maharashtra government’s administrative stories. Reports on the developments in finances, agriculture, social sectors among others.

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