In Attack On Congress, Sharad Pawar Camp, BJP's Praise For Uddhav Thackeray

BJP leader Chandrakant Patil on Tuesday said though Uddhav Thackeray took a great deal of efforts during the Lok Sabha elections campaign, the allies Congress and NCP (SP) seem to have benefitted more than his own party.

Mr Thackeray was not keeping well but he still campaigned hard, said Mr Patil, a senior Maharashtra minister, at an event here.

"Uddhav Thackeray's health was not in good condition, still he took a lot of efforts. I was worried about his health. However, the outcome indicates that NCP (SP) and Congress benefitted more from his efforts than his own party.

"When Thackeray was with BJP, his party had won 18 Lok Sabha seats. With Congress and NCP (SP), he ended up winning nine seats. He needs to introspect," Mr Patil further said.

Mr Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) contested 21 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state but won only nine.

Congress, on the other hand, contested 17 and won 13. Congress leader and rebel candidate in Sangli Lok Sabha constituency also won and later extended support to the party. The NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) contested 10 seats and won eight.

Mr Patil further taunted Mr Thackeray saying, "Thackeray also earned a tag of winning due to the votes of minorities. An MNS leader has also put it succinctly, saying the colour of Uddhav's victory is not saffron but green."

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)