Change perception of Pakistan: BJP advises Shiv Sena

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had on Friday called the meeting between PM Narendra Modi and Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif as unfortunate.

BJP hit back at its ally in Maharashtra on Saturday, advising Shiv Sena to change its perception of Pakistan and spare a thought about local civic problems while commenting on national issues.

Combination-photo-of-Shiv-Sena-chief-Uddhav-Thackeray-and-Prime-Minister-Narendra-Modi-Agencies

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday had expressed reservations about the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

"Uddhav Thackeray should have first sought information on Modi's meeting with Sharif. The meeting between the two prime ministers was of national importance. Since the trial of 26/11 Mumbai attacks is going on in a Pakistani court, Modi coaxed Pakistan into completing it faster. Several Indian fishermen are lodged in Pakistani jails. The meeting also focused on their release," Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar said here.

"Everybody has the right to speak about India-Pakistan relations and what is happening in Jammu and Kashmir. But what is needed is a change of perception so that you can see the changed conditions," he said.

On Friday, Thackeray had termed Modi's meeting with Sharif as "unfortunate" and said "the neighbouring country needs to be taught a lesson in a manner it understands" as there was no change in the conditions on the border.

Shelar also took a swipe at Sena, which controls the municipal corporation of Greater Mumbai, over recent flooding in the city and the choked nullahs which are said to have to caused it. "While the Sena speaks about issues of national importance, why doesn't it take action against MCGM contractors who are doing substandard work of cleaning the drainage system? It (also) needs to focus on the increasing number of leptospirosis cases in Mumbai," he said.