The allegation by ex-CM Prithviraj Chavan that it was the understanding between the NCP and BJP that led to break-up of both the alliances. This has been echoed by the Shiv Sena too. What is your take on this?
I can understand Chavan levelling these charges in an attempt to create suspicion in people's mind about NCP, but it's laughable if Sena leaders are talking on those lines. It is BJP which was vociferously criticising corrupt NCP ministers and this information is available in legislature records. Moreover, Prime Minister Modiji has termed the NCP as not Rashtrawadi but Mahabhrashtawadi, meaning a party which is full of corruption. We will see to it that the NCP wins only a handful seats so that it will not have any bargaining power.
Who is responsible for the snap in your 25-year-old alliance? Was it that the central leadership of BJP wanted to get rid of the Sena to test the water their own?
Not at all. Our central leadership had nothing to do with the alliance and seat-sharing talks. The state unit had all the powers to take a decision though we were apprising them of the developments. The Sena didn't climb down even by four seats. It wanted to stick to its sacred figure of 151 and the ambition of one man led to the break-up. In fact, Sena kept us busy in talks, while it had sent messages to its district unit chiefs to prepare for contesting alone. Neither Modiji nor national president Amit Shah had any role in seat-sharing talks or breaking the alliance. In fact, Shah, during his first visit and meeting with Uddhav Thackeray, had said that we should contest together. Since it was an ideological alliance, we tried our best to keep it intact.
Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has been criticising the BJP leadership, but you all are not retaliating with strong words. Is it for a possible post-poll alliance?
We have decided that Congress and NCP are our rivals for this elections, and despite Thackeray's criticism, we would not use strong words against him or the Sena. As far as post-poll alliance is concerned, we are confident of reaching the majority mark. There would not be any need for the BJP to go for any alliance.
Why is the PM holding rallies every other day? Is it because none of the state functionaries are mass leaders?
If I hold a rally, I can attract 25-30 thousand people, but if Modiji address a rally, he can attract two lakh people. In a federal structure, it is worth to have a government in the state that can work hand-in-hand with the Centre. That's why, Modiji is working hard. We have good leaders in the state but his appeal is unmatched.
Do you think that there would be a problem of plenty while deciding on who would be the CM?
We are not worried about this since ours is a cadre-based party and our parliamentary board will take a call on this. This problem is more for media than the party.
