Sena-BJP rivals in Maharashtra bury the hatchet for ‘alliance dharma’

Uddhav, Fadnavis urge BJP-Sena workers to leave conflicts behind

Shiv Sena minister Arjun Khotkar and state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Raosaheb Danve on Sunday ended their feud over a seat for alliance dharma, the two leaders announced in Aurangabad.

Shiv Sena minister Arjun Khotkar and BJP state president Raosaheb Danve, flanked by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, exchange sweets after both decided to end feud . Sena leader Sanjay Raut (next to CM), BJP minister Pankaja Munde (extreme right) were also present. (HT)

Khotkar, who had vowed to contest against Danve from Jalna Lok Sabha seat, withdrew his demand after Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis discussed the issue with the rivals in Aurangabad.

The enmity between Khotkar and Danve was a major sticking point in the alliance between the Sena and BJP. It could have affected the equations between the two parties in central Maharashtra, which will anyway see a fierce battle between saffron combine and Opposition coalition in Lok Sabha polls.

“There was an emergency in our district for some time now. But today, it was lifted with the help of Uddhavji and the CM… Both of us were made to understand the dharma of the alliance. I have understood the principle. I am a hardcore Shiv Sena party worker and would not indulge in political backstabbing. Whatever responsibilities would be bestowed upon me, I will complete them,” Khotkar said at the gathering of party functionaries in Aurangabad.

Danve, who also spoke at the gathering said, “There was no personal conflict. We were working for our respective political parties. The day the alliance was announced, I surrendered my weapons. Today, Arjun, too, has lowered his bow and arrow.”

Thackeray, meanwhile, said the feud between the two leaders was symbolic for the conflict between BJP and Sena. “There were issues between us, but that is past now. …there cannot be any squabbling between us. Raosaheb Danve and Arjun Khotkar symbolise these conflicts for everybody in the two parties. Whoever had issues must forget them now; enough. There is no need to revisit them. We have to improve the life of the people now,” Thackeray told BJP and Sena party workers in Aurangabad.

Fadnavis said, “Circumstance led to our falling out, but we were always aligned on Hindutva. We are pro-Hindutva parties, but our Hindutva is not narrow and for one religion. Party workers should not look at who the candidate is, they must only work for the alliance. I am certain that all eight Lok Sabha seats in Marathwada will be bagged by our alliance.”