Maha BJP leaders meet over friction in saffron alliance

A meeting of top Maharashtra BJP leaders today discussed rumblings in the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance after war of words over the chairmanship of the standing committee in the Aurangabad civic body.

A meeting of top Maharashtra BJP leaders today discussed rumblings in the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance after war of words over the chairmanship of the standing committee in the Aurangabad civic body.

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BJP state president Sudhir Mungantiwar, who has been authorised to take a call on the fate of the alliance in Aurangabad, said a decision on the issue would be taken soon.

Mungantiwar, senior leader Gopinath Munde and leader of opposition in state Assembly Eknath Khadse attended the meeting, held at Khadse's official residence here.

BJP leaders won't be proceeding to 'Matoshree', residence of Sena chief Bal Thackeray, for a meeting, as was speculated, party sources said.

Meanwhile, in Aurangabad, angry BJP activists shouted slogans, demanding snapping of the alliance with Sena. "If they want BJP man to step down as standing panel chief, then Mayor Anita Ghodele of Sena should also quit as she was elected on BJP support," they said.

Earlier this month, BJP's Raju Shinde defied the party's order to step down as the standing committee chairman to make way for a Sena candidate.

Angry with his decision, the Sena corporators ransacked the public gallery of the civic body and attacked senior BJP leader Haribhau Bagde's office for the second time in the past two weeks. Bagde alleged Sena MP Chandrakant Khaire incited the Sena workers for the attack.