Relationship status: It's complicated, as Shiv Sena continues to take potshots at ally BJP

The Shiv Sena may well have become a part of the government in Maharashtra despite apparently splitting with the BJP ahead of Assembly elections in the state last year. However, it seems to be bent on giving the BJP-led government, both at the state and Central level, a hard time. In the latest attack on its ally, the Sena has criticised the rising prices of dal, the controversial statements by ministers and the BJP’s alliance with the PDP in Jammu and Kashmir. This comes even as the government in Maharashtra, of which it is a part, completes a year in office. [caption id=“attachment_2482676” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Image courtesy: PTI[/caption] Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut, in an editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamana has said that a situation exists where the price of tur dal has reached Rs 200, and prices of essential commodities have increased, and asked, “What can be done about those who say that things are going well in the country and the state?” The Shiv Sena, not exactly known for its measured or restrained statements, has said, “Ministers and politicians need to speak with caution. This is not seen to be happening at present.” The Sena mouthpiece has taken note of VK Singh’s controversial remarks on attacks on Dalits and Kiren Rijiju’s remarks about rule-breaking behavior among north Indians. Saying that the BJP has entered into a ‘nikaah’ with the ‘Article 370-loving’ Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, Raut has said in the article that the Shiv Sena’s politics of opposing Pakistan is of a nationalist nature. With civic polls coming up in Kalyan-Dombivli near Mumbai, the poll advertisements of the two parties had become another point of acrimony. The Shiv Sena has accused the BJP of ‘copyright infringement’ by adding a voiceover to an advertisement in which a senior citizen was shown praising Bal Thackeray, according to a report in The Indian Express. The BJP, however, is reported to have claimed that it is not an official advertisement of the party and that it was probably circulated to defame the party. According to a _Firstpost_ article by Vishwas Waghmode, the Sena will decide on the future course of action on its alliance with the BJP after the Kalyan-Dombivli civic polls. The party is said to be waiting for the outcome of the Bihar polls, with a functionary being quoted as saying, “We hope the BJP fares badly. We want to see whether the Modi wave has died down or not.” With the results of both the Bihar elections and the Kalyan-Dombivli civic polls due to be out early next month, the fate of Maharashtra politics’ frenemies hangs in a delicate balance.