SHIV SENA WAS NEVER OUR ENEMY: FADNAVIS

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is generally seen attacking the Uddhav Thackeray government in Maharashtra, but on Sunday he said that the Shiv Sena was “never” an “enemy”. Asked by reporters whether the two former allies can come together, Fadnavis said that an “appropriate decision” will be taken in view of the situation.

“We (Sena and the BJP) were never enemies. They were our friends and people whom they fought against, they formed a government together with them and they left us,” Fadnavis told reporters when he was asked about his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the possibility of an alliance with the Shiv Sena. “There are no ifs and buts in politics. Decisions are taken as per prevailing situations,” he added.

The declaration of friendship comes amid action taken by central agencies against leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Both the Shiv Sena and the NCP say that central agencies are being misused against opposition parties to destabilise the three-party alliance in Maharashtra. The reports of strain within the ruling alliance were also fed by belligerent remarks from leaders of ally Congress. The Congress later clarified they are with the Uddhav Thackeray-led alliance for the next five years. Earlier this week, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar met CM Thackeray.

Last month, the Maharashtra CM had a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Shiv Sena called it a personal meeting.