BJP accuses Shiv Sena of betrayal

New Delhi: The BJP on Tuesday reacted strongly to Shiv Sena's decision to back UPA candidate Pratibha Patil for the Presidential election and accused its ally of entering into a deal with the Congress over its support to UPA-Left candidate.

Accusing Sena of betrayal, the BJP termed the decision as "unfortunate".

On Monday, BJP's national leadership had tried to play down the issue by saying, it will not have any impact on NDA-supported independent candidate Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's poll prospects.

But the state BJP's reacted in stark contrast, saying it's not ready to play second fiddle to Sena. In fact, relations between the two parties have touched a new low with the BJP terming Sena's decision to support Patil as anti-Hindutva and anti-national.

"Thackeray has taken a very wrong decision," Maharashtra BJP president Nitin Gadkari said.

"The fact that Sena is backing a Congress candidate as the President and NCP chief Sharad Pawar as the Prime Minister makes us wonder if Sena is with the ruling parties or us," Gadkari said.

Pointing out that as Rajasthan Governor Pratibha Patil had refused to sign the Anti-Conversion Bill, Gadkari said, "Nor has she given any assurance as far as hanging Afzal Guru (Parliament attack convict sentenced to death) is concerned. On what basis then has the Shiv Sena extended support to Patil?"

Angry with the decision, the Maharashtra BJP even threatened to withdraw support to Sena at the Mumbai and Thane municipal corporations. The party dared Sena to go along with the Congress-NCP alliance if it so wished. "It would now be difficult for us to continue with them," Gadkari said.

In a written statement to the media on Monday, Thackeray said Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat is standing as an Independent because he wants the votes of all parties. He said this amounts to horse-trading. It would be great to have a Marathi lady in Rashtrapati Bhawan in 2010, when Maharashtra state turns 50," he said.

"The year 2010 will complete 50 years of formation of Maharashtra. Since 105 martyrs contributed to the making of Maharashtra, we will be proud to see a Marathi woman as President in this year," Thackeray said.