Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray
Two days after the BJP dumped the Shiv Sena, its 25-year-old saffron partner, the latter's chief Uddhav Thackeray at an election rally in Mumbai on Saturday taunted the BJP, saying "we will show them what a wave means."
His statement was a clear reference to constant derision from the BJP that the Sena had performed well in Lok Sabha elections only by riding the 'Modi wave.'
"They broke an alliance of Hindutva. No one will forgive them," Mr Thackeray added as the crowds cheered.
The BJP had broken its partnership with the Sena after weeks of intense bickering between the two parties over seat-sharing for next month's Assembly Elections in Maharashtra.
Throughout his speech, Mr Thackeray targeted his former ally holding it responsible for the collapse of the alliance. He called the break-up unfortunate but also an opportunity.
"I did not break the alliance. I tried till the last moment. But it was not possible to give them 30 more seats. For every demand we agreed to, they came up with a new one," he said.
Mr Thackeray's speech clearly reflected his ambition with reference to the forthcoming assembly elections.
"I have nothing against Narendra Modi. But I want to say - you rule in Delhi and we will take care of Maharashtra," he said.
On the question of the Chief Minister's post, Mr Thackeray said, "I have never run after power. That holds true for the post of CM too. I'm not the one to decide whether I will hold the post. It's for the people to decide. If we get full majority, I'll throw an open challenge to Congress-NCP. Let them choose any seat and I will contest from there."
On Saturday, the Shiv Sena finalised a list of 286 candidates for the state assembly polls and has decided not to field anyone against BJP leader and former late Union Minister Gopinath Munde's daughters, Pankaja (in the Parli assembly constituency) and Pritam (in the Beed Lok Sabha bypoll).
The Sena will also be backing the candidature of Geeta Gawli, daughter of Arun Gawli, a well-known Mumbai gangster from Byculla assembly constituency.