Mumbai: Shiv Sena Minister Sanjay Shirsat has inadvertently fueled opposition propaganda. While reacting to an editorial in Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana on Saturday he suggested that his party and the BJP could contest the 2029 elections separately. The statement strengthens the UBT’s ongoing narrative that the BJP plans to sideline its current alliance partners. Shirsat essentially validated these opposition speculations instead of firmly dismissing them. The Saamana editorial specifically named Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar’s NCP and alleged a grand BJP strategy to absorb the NCP completely. It also hinted that Shinde faction legislators might eventually be pushed to join the BJP. Shirsat walked right into this political trap. He responded to the explosive claims by defending the idea of fighting elections independently rather than projecting alliance unity. He stated that every party has the right to strengthen its own organization. He explicitly noted that no political bond forces allies to stay together permanently. He even reminded the public of past instances where the BJP and Sena broke ties to fight alone. The Saamana editorial claimed state leaders are obsessed with political realignments while ignoring real governance. It highlighted unaddressed public issues concerning farmers, widows, and persons with disabilities. The BJP notably maintained its silence on these allegations. Political observers point out that the historical relationship between the BJP and the undivided Sena was always marked by shifting loyalties and seat-sharing disputes. Shirsat’s latest remarks now serve to highlight the fragile and fluid nature of the current state coalition.
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