Not severing ties with Sena over its support to Pranab: BJP

"We (Shiv Sena-BJP and RPI) will contest the 2014 Assembly polls in the state together. Shiv Sena is an independent party and it is their decision. As they have extended support to Pranab Mukherjee it does not mean that we will snap ties with them", he said.u00a0

However, terming as "unfortunate" the Sena's backing Pranab Mukherjee, he asserted that this decision would encourage the Congress partymen.

"There is an anti-Congress wave in the country. We cannot take a decision that will strengthen Congress-NCP and because of which our votes will get divided", Mungantiwar said addressing a press conference here.

"If Pranab Mukherjee has assured Shiv Sena that after becoming the President he will hang Afzal Guru then it's a good thing. Otherwise how much it will benefit NDA and the people of the country is a big question", he said alleging that UPA was protecting Afzal Guru (convicted in the 2001 Parliament attack case).

Stating that the BJP is not feeling "insecure" over increasing proximity of Shiv Sena with Congress, he exuded confidence that NDA would emerge stronger in the days to come.

Recently, Shiv Sena had forged an alliance with Congress in Thane and Bhiwandi Municipal Corporations for mayoral elections, which led to eyebrows being raised in the BJP.
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