BJP’s Polls Defeat is a Defeat of Lies & Injustice, Says Shiv Sena

In an editorial published in Saamana, Shiv Sena lashed out at PM Modi over BJP’s defeat in the Assembly polls.

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray.

(Photo: PTI)

Continuing its tirade against ally Bhartiya Janata Party, the Shiv Sena on Thursday, 13 December said that the defeat of the BJP in the recent state Assembly polls is a "defeat of injustice and lies."

“Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has beaten them in their own turf. This is the defeat of injustice and lies. Pride has been captured and ego crushed," the Sena said in an editorial published in the party’s mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

Sena’s who is ally of BJP at the centre and Maharashtra, has recently expressed displeasure with the latter over its delay in the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The remarks made by Sena comes days after BJP lost its governments to Congress in the Hindi heartland states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

In the editorial, Shiv Sena further lashed out at BJP stating that the latter is crying foul over its defeat, therefore destroying the culture of “humbly accepting defeat” since 2014 Lok Sabha.

It said Rahul Gandhi has humbly accepted his win and acknowledged the contribution of BJP chief ministers. However, Modi is unwilling to accept the contribution of (former prime ministers and late Congress leaders) Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi in building the nation.

The editorial by Sena also took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ego and for forgetting the contributions of veteran BJP leaders like LK Advani.

"He (Modi) is not even willing to accept that (veteran leader) L K Advani has built the BJP," the Sena said.

On the counting day of polls results (11 December), the party chief Uddhav Thackeray had lauded the “courage” of the voters for showing the way forward to the country.

Shiv Sena Asks Ally BJP to Bring Ordinance on Ram Temple

On the same day, the party during the ongoing parliament session demanded that the BJP bring an ordinance for construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. As a mark to commemorate their protest against the ruling BJP, Sena leaders were seen holding placards in the aisle of the House.

During the Thursday’s session, Shiv Sena leader in the House Anandrao Adsul said that the BJP got clear majority but even then it did not take an initiative to build Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

“We demand that government bring an ordinance on the issue."

Adsul also suggested that the BJP's poor performance in the Assembly elections in five states was due to its "inaction" on the temple issue.

(With inputs from PTI)