Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said his party would support all steps on Jammu and Kashmir, including a decision on Article 370, taken by Union home minister Amit Shah.
“The Sena supports all the steps taken by Union home minister Amit Shah on Jammu and Kashmir. We will support all the measures like article 370 and 35 A, if the government is taking any decision on them,” he said during a visit to Kolhapur.
Thackeray was accompanied by his wife Rashmi and son Aaditya. Sena’s 16 newly-elected Lok Sabha members were also present. Two MPs were not present because of personal reasons, Sena sources said.
The Sena chief tried to undermine speculations that the party was not happy with allocation of portfolio of heavy industries in the Modi government. “Can you see any sign of disappointment on our faces? Sena never works for any position and post. We are committed to an ideology and Hindutva is a cementing force for us,” Thackeray said.
He refused to say whether the party had been offered the post Lok Sabha deputy speaker. He even refused to divulge the seat-sharing formula with BJP and other friendly parties for assembly elections in Maharashtra. “We have decided. We will take care and coordinate with everybody. We will declare it at appropriate time,” he said.
Thackeray made his comments in the presence of state revenue minister Chandrakant Patil, who had said three days ago that BJP and Sena would contest 135 seats each in the assembly elections. Patil had also said that 18 seats would be given up other parties in the alliance. Patil, who is guardian minister of Kolhapur district, accompanied Thackeray throughout his visit.
Stating that certain elements do not want alliance between Sena and BJP to continue, Thackeray clarified that two parties had come together on the basis of Hindutva.”Everything is all right now. Our alliance is strong and it will not break at any cost,” he said.
Thackeray said he was planning to go to Ayodhya on 16th June with all party MPs. He will also visit drought-hit parts in western Maharashtra and Marathwada by this weekend. Thackeray appreciated handling of drought situation in Maharashtra by Fadnavis government. Thackeray also praised PM Narendra Modi and Devendra Fadnavis government for their performance.
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to support Amit Shah in J&K’s all matters
