With the National Democratic Alliance being reduced to a three-party alliance after Janata Dal-United's exit, Shiv Sena on Monday asked the BJP to explain its plans to bring in new allies, saying, "Friends don't grow like trees."
"Friends don't grow like trees, they have to be nurtured. How does one get friends if one chops off the branches of the tree which till now provided fruits, flowers and shade," Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana.
"After the JD-U exited the NDA, the BJP and Shiv Sena are left. The Akali Dal's strength has never gone above four or five MPs," Uddhav, whose party is the BJP's oldest ally, said, voicing concern over the dwindling strength of the alliance.
"Once, there were 25 to 30 parties in the NDA. Now, hardly three remain. Earlier, even the hall in Advani's home was not enough to hold its meetings. Now, a table and four chairs are enough," he said.
"The post of NDA convenor is vacant. But what work is left for the convenor, other than calling two parties for tea," Uddhav, who was reportedly offered the post of the NDA convenor by the BJP, said. The post was vacated by the JD-U president Sharad Yadav when his party quit the alliance.
Uddhav said the names of BJP's "new friends" at the national level should be announced if the NDA were to get a majority in the Lok Sabha polls.
"Narendra Modi has been given the responsibility of Lok Sabha polls. But is it possible for the BJP to defeat the Congress on its own? If not, then it should be announced who are BJP's new friends at the national level," he said.
"In Maharashtra, there is Shiv Sena and it would be with the BJP on the issue of Hindutva. But who else is there in other states? Will Mamata go with the BJP in West Bengal? Will Naveen Patnaik rejoin the NDA fold? Will Yeddyurappa be appeased? Will Jagan Reddy go with the BJP? Which "Dravida" parties in south are with us?
"Jayalalitha is friends with Modi but will she join the NDA? If answers to such questions come in time, only then the number of friends will increase and lead to a majority (for the NDA) in the Lok Sabha," Uddhav said.
"Advani has asked if the BJP has the ability to defeat the Congress on its own. That is why his advise that the BJP should have new friends is important," he added.
