Mumbai:
After announcing its support for Pranab Mukherjee as President, the Shiv Sena seems keen to make other National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners come around. "The NDA needs to get on the right road. The mood in the country is against the Congress, but the NDA is in a bad state despite having the maximum numbers," said Uddhav Thackeray, the executive president of the party, in Mumbai today.
Uddhav clarified that his party's support for Mr Mukherjee doesn't amount to support for the Congress. "Pranab da is a good candidate....Yes, we have extended our support to Pranab Mukherjee as a Presidential candidate but this does not mean we support Congress," Uddhav said while addressing the party workers at the 46th Foundation Day of Shiv Sena at suburban Matunga.
Uddhav's statement comes after Sena supremo Bal Thackeray said that a message that "we are all united" should go round by unanimous election of the Finance Minister to Rashtrapati Bhavan. "Let bygones be bygones. Let us unanimously support Pranab Mukherjee and show the world that "hum sab ek hai" (we are all united)," Mr Thackeray said in a statement published in the party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.
At a time when a sizeable section of the BJP, leading the NDA appeared to be planning to support PA Sangma in the Presidential race, the Sena chief said, "The farce that is on for the top post of President is not justifiable. The country's prestige is at stake for political gains. Those who have no merit are also in the race."
The Shiv Sena, is one of the oldest allies of BJP in the NDA, and is understood to be disappointed about the fact that the alliance has not been able finalise its candidate. But this isn't the first time it has gone against the NDA in the Presidential polls. The party had supported Pratibha Patil in 2007, breaking ranks with the BJP-led NDA as Mrs Patil is from Maharashtra.
With 11 of its members in the Lok Sabha, four in the Rajya Sabha, seven in the Maharashtra legislative council and 46 in the legislative assembly, the Shiv Sena can play a critical role in the upcoming presidential poll.
Uddhav clarified that his party's support for Mr Mukherjee doesn't amount to support for the Congress. "Pranab da is a good candidate....Yes, we have extended our support to Pranab Mukherjee as a Presidential candidate but this does not mean we support Congress," Uddhav said while addressing the party workers at the 46th Foundation Day of Shiv Sena at suburban Matunga.
Uddhav's statement comes after Sena supremo Bal Thackeray said that a message that "we are all united" should go round by unanimous election of the Finance Minister to Rashtrapati Bhavan. "Let bygones be bygones. Let us unanimously support Pranab Mukherjee and show the world that "hum sab ek hai" (we are all united)," Mr Thackeray said in a statement published in the party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.
At a time when a sizeable section of the BJP, leading the NDA appeared to be planning to support PA Sangma in the Presidential race, the Sena chief said, "The farce that is on for the top post of President is not justifiable. The country's prestige is at stake for political gains. Those who have no merit are also in the race."
The Shiv Sena, is one of the oldest allies of BJP in the NDA, and is understood to be disappointed about the fact that the alliance has not been able finalise its candidate. But this isn't the first time it has gone against the NDA in the Presidential polls. The party had supported Pratibha Patil in 2007, breaking ranks with the BJP-led NDA as Mrs Patil is from Maharashtra.
With 11 of its members in the Lok Sabha, four in the Rajya Sabha, seven in the Maharashtra legislative council and 46 in the legislative assembly, the Shiv Sena can play a critical role in the upcoming presidential poll.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
