Our leaders do not wear mask: Sena on Fadnavis' poll remarks

Shiv Sena today hit back at Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over his remarks that going solo in the Assembly polls brought out BJP's true strength, saying Sena leaders "do not wear mask or makeup".

Though Sena welcomed Fadnavis' stand on fighting the next Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) election together, it asked the chief minister to come clean on what led to the Sena-BJP alliance breakup ahead of the assembly polls.

"Fadnavis said that going alone in Assembly election brought out the true strength of BJP. We do not wish to take potshots at him because we too fought hard to ensure defeat of Congress and NCP.

"But people at some places got carried away with the external makeup. We do not wear mask or makeup on our faces," the BJP ally said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

Fadnavis had on Saturday said that their decision to fight solo in last year's assembly polls brought out the true might of BJP.

Sena said Fadnavis should first work towards ensuring that neighbouring states do not take away business from Maharashtra rather than inviting foreign investment into the state.

"Air India, Patents office, Port trust, railways... all head-offices are being shifted elsewhere and the CM does not take a hard stand on it. If Fadnavis does not show nerve with the Centre, then other states will take away whatever is left here," the editorial further said.

Sena also exuded confidence that it will remain a major force in the state politics and that win or defeat of few Sena legislators will cast no major impact on regional politics.

The two parties came back together after the polls but their ties have been strained, with Sena often venting its ire against BJP.