BJP's alliance with Shiv Sena beyond politics, says PM Modi

As the BJP and the Shiv Sena announced their pre-poll alliance for upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter saying the decision will strengthen the ruling NDA significantly.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and BJP President Amit Shah. (File Photo: PTI)

NEW DELHI: As the BJP and the Shiv Sena announced their pre-poll alliance for upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter saying the decision will strengthen the ruling NDA significantly. BJP's association with the Shiv Sena goes beyond politics and is bound by a desire to see a strong India, Modi said. "Our association with the Shiv Sena goes beyond politics. We are bound by a desire to see a strong and developed India." "The decision to contest together strengthens the NDA significantly. I am sure our alliance is going to be Maharashtra’s first and only choice!," Modi tweeted. "Inspired by the vision of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Bal Thackeray, BJP-Shiv Sena alliance will continue working for the well-being of Maharashtra and ensuring the state once again elects representatives who are development oriented, non corrupt and proud of India's cultural ethos," he wrote. Ruling allies BJP and Shiv Sena, whose relations have been strained for quite some time, Monday announced a tie-up for the coming Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly elections. Announcing the alliance formula, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the BJP will contest 25 and the Sena 23, of the total 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state. However, in the 288-member Assembly, after finalizing the share of other alliance partners, the two parties shall contest in the ratio of 50:50 for the remaining seats.