Shiv Sena will continue in BJP govt to protect people’s interests: Saamana editorial

The Saamana editorial hit out at the railways and the central government, alleging that their apathy led to the stampede at the Elphinstone station that killed 23 people.

Mumbai The Shiv Sena “will remain in power to protect the interests of people”, the party mouthpiece on Saturday said amid speculation that it may pull out of the BJP-led government in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray at a function in Mumbai.(HT File Photo)

The frayed relationship between saffron allies -- the BJP and Shiv Sena -- had come under fresh strain after Sena MP Sanjay Raut had recently said his party will soon decide on whether to continue in the two-party coalition government in Maharashtra.

However, an editorial in Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ on Saturday said “the party would not end the coalition when assembly elections are two years away and will continue to remain in power to protect the interests of people”.

Shiv Sena has 12 ministers in the Fadnavis government, including five of the Cabinet rank. Maharashtra has a 39- member council of ministers. The party has one minister in the NDA ministry at the centre.

The editorial also hit out at the railways and the central government, alleging that their apathy led to Friday’s stampede at the Elphinstone station that killed 23 people.

The Sena also took a swipe at the ambitious bullet train project from Mumbai to Ahmedabad, saying, “what is the use of the bullet train when you cannot provide basic infrastructure to local commuters?”