No rift in Sena-NCP ties, says Uddhav

CM says he has absolute trust in his Cabinet colleagues

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday dismissed speculation about strained ties between the Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). “Reports about rift between Shiv Sena and NCP are baseless. I have absolute trust in my Cabinet colleagues,” he said in a statement issued the statement after meeting Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil. 

Mr. Thackeray was referring to reports which claimed that the Sena was unhappy with NCP, which holds the Home department, for being soft on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at a time when the Opposition party in the State was using Central probe agencies to target leaders of the Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). 

Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut in a press conference last month had said that he has complained to the Economic Offences Wing of Mumbai police against the extortion rackets run by officers of the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

While no probe has begun in the matter yet, sources say the police are merely recording statements of the involved parties. Sources also said there is unease in the Congress over the fact that Mumbai police was quick to file an FIR against two of its Ministers for waving swords at a public rally, but hasn’t yet taken any action against BJP leader and former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for doing the same at a party event .

Asked about the alleged rift, Mr. Walse-Patil said that Chief Minister has already clarified the matter. “As far as action by State police is concerned, I must say that this State government runs by laws and rules. If and when laws are violated, action will be taken,” he said.

The NCP leader also said that his meeting with Mr. Thackeray was regarding administrative issues and had nothing to do with reports about the rift between two parties. Commenting on possibility of exchanging Home department with Sena, Mr. Walse-Patil said that he will not comment on issues of which he was unaware.