Sena torpedoes BJP's plan to rope NCP into NDA

In a volte face, the Shiv Sena has poured cold water over the BJP's plans to rope in the NCP into the NDA by refusing to ally with the Sharad Pawar-led outfit.

In a statement on Thursday, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray stated that he is firmly opposed to the NCP being allowed to join Sena-BJP saffron alliance, which is in place for over one-and-half-decades now.

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Sena leaders fear allying with the NCP at a time when elections are round the corner could their rank and file because they had sharply criticised the ruling coalition, of which the NCP is a partner, for the last four-and-half-years.

In a statement, Thackeray sharply attacked Pawar saying he lacks ideology. He was referring to the Maratha strongman's recent statement that his party has three options - to join the Left Front and other parties, to ally with the Congress and to have a pact with the BJP-led NDA.

Pawar had then stated that no party was 'untouchable to the NCP'.

Thackeray said, "In the name of the country's interest, Pawar merely serves his self-interest."