BJP for `respectable' alliance with Sena

PUNE: The BJP is ready to fight the forthcoming civic elections on its own if a `respec table' pre-poll alliance with the Shiv Sena is not possible, the party's state unit president Raosaheb Danve said on Friday .
His statement comes a day after Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray dropped hints about going solo for the municipal polls across state in February .
“We are willing for an alliance with the Sena if a respectable alliance is worked out after discussions between leaders of both parties.If that is not possible, we are fully prepared to contest the election in Maharashtra on our own.We will propose a seat-sharing formula to Shiv Sena leaders. We will study their seatsharing proposal. Both will be studied collectively and a final seat-sharing formula will decided. If the formula is accepted by the both parties, only then is an alliance possib le,“ Danve told reporters after inaugurating the city unit's election office.
“We have given full authority to our district and city units to decide about an alliance. Their views will be important in any decision about a tie-up. We have asked officer-bearers at the district and city level to start discussions for an alliance with other parties including the Republican Party of India, Rastriya Samaj Paksha and Shivsangram,“ Danve said.
On the recent controversy over criminals being made BJP members, Danve said, “Joining the party doesn't mean that the party is going to give them nominations for civic elections. The state BJP unit has a separate committee to select candidates. Our party has rules and regulations while offering nominations.“
The city BJP has started its election office on JM Road.“The BJP office near Jogeshwari temple is very small. We have started this temporary election office,“ guardian minister Girish Bapat said.
Samarjit Ghatage to join BJP
Kolhapur: The BJP seems to be sparing no efforts in making inroads into the Congress-NCP bastion. After Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, Shahu sugar factory chairman Samarjit Ghatage is now joining the saffron party.
Ghatage, a descendent of Kagal's Ghatage family in which Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj was born, will be officially inducted into the BJP at a function to be attended by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai on Saturday. Dutt-Shirol sugar mill chairman Ganpatrao Patil and District Co-operative Bank director P G Shinde will also join the BJP along with Ghatage.
Ghatage is the second member of the families having relations with Shahu Maharaj to align with BJP. Sambhajiraje is now a nominated member of Rajya Sabha. TNN