BJP and Shiv Sena so close yet so far from forging an alliance

When it comes to forming an alliance with the BJP, Sena chief Udhhav Thackeray might as well be repeating Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic dialogue from the movie Darr, “She( BJP) loves me...She loves me not..she loves me...”. This is because for the first time in the last three years, the Shiv Sena has now given an indication that it are ready to sort out all the differences and willing to form an alliance with the BJP.

On Monday afternoon, Uddhav Thackeray had called a meeting of all the Sena MPs. After a two-hour long meeting, Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut had said that thay have not received any offer from any political party and that no one has talked to their leader Uddhav Thackeray about this. But he also said that Shiv Sena is ‘Big Brother’ in Maharashtra & will remain in future as as well. The statement of 'big brother' shows Shiv Sena’s willingness, and has given a positive vibe about the chances of an alliance with the BJP.  Till yesterday, Shiv Sena was saying that they want to contest alone & they have also started preparing for that but by making his 'big brother' remark, Shiv Sena perhaps wanted to tell the BJP that if it agrees to become younger brother then there might be a chance of an alliance.

WATCH: Shiv Sena Offers First Reaction To Priyanka Gandhi's Formal Entry Into Politcs, Says Congress Had Wanted Her To Join For A Long Time

Till 2014, in Maharashtra’s politics, Shiv Sena was in the 'big brother' role & BJP was a junior partner. But the Modi wave has changed the political equation in the state. BJP has become a big brother in Maharashtra as they have won 122 seats in 2014 Maharashtra assembly election whereas Sena won just 63. Even after 4-and-a-half years, Sena is not ready to accept the reality that BJP has become more powerful in the state.

In fact, till Sunday, BJP was ready to form an alliance with the Shiv Sena at any cost & talks were also on but after the statement of Sanjay Raut, BJP took an aggressive stand. While addressing party workers & leaders at a rally at Jalna, CM Devendra Fadnavis has said “We are not helpless. We want an alliance but we want it to save the country. But to those who feel we are 'laachar' (helpless) - we are not. We are the ones who have created a world from zero. This is the party of Vajpayee and Modi - we can never become laachar”. Further, he adds, "Those who want Hindutva will come with us - those who do not want will join hands with others. We will go ahead with those who come along and without those who don’t.”

WATCH: 'It Proves Rahul Gandhi Has Failed', Says BJP Spokesperson Dr Sambit Patra After Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's Entry Into Congress

Perhaps CM Fadnavis has now realized that the Shiv Sena is ready to join hands again as Sena chief might also be feeling that fighting alone may damage their chance of getting more seats in the Lok Sabha, and hence, to get a big share in seat-sharing, Sena is applying 'big brother' status as a condition. As the election is very near, both the parties might be thinking to close this chapter as soon as possible. After the statements from both the parties, one thing has become very clear - that very soon either both parties will form an alliance, else they will each contest alone.