BJP-NCP alliance is like an incompatible marriage: Ganesh Hake

Mumbai, August 31 (IANS): BJP spokesperson Ganesh Hake on Saturday said his party's alliance with the NCP was like an “irreconcilable marriage” and the party would suffer badly if it continued with this alliance in the upcoming general elections.

“The truth is that neither they (NCP) nor we (BJP) like this alliance. Our alliance with them is like a union with unworthy people. This alliance is an incompatible marriage. We will suffer badly if we continue this alliance during the assembly elections,” Hake said.

Hake, who hails from Latur district in Marathwada region, claimed that the BJP's alliance with the NCP was “unfortunate”.

He also alleged that the NCP did not work in the spirit of a genuine alliance for the BJP candidates in the Lok Sabha elections.

“NCP MP Balasaheb Patil from Ahmedpur constituency in Latur district did not campaign for the BJP candidate, who was ultimately defeated,” Hake said.

“Was the NCP working for the BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Latur? Did the NCP follow the alliance dharma in letter and spirit? Instead, the NCP MPs, leaders and activists sat in the Congress party camp and worked against the BJP candidate by taking money from us,” he alleged.

NCP MP Amol Mitkari ridiculed Hake, saying he was a gentleman, an honest and intelligent person, but why the BJP did not take him seriously was a mystery to a common worker like him.

“Hake, who was marginalized in his party for years, has been criticizing the NCP in the hope of being nominated for the general election. He made such remarks to gain new energy,” he said.

Earlier, Shiv Sena minister Tanaji Sawant had said, “I am a die-hard Shiv Sainik. Since my college days, I have never got along with the Congress and the NCP. Today, I vomit when I come out of the Cabinet, even if I am sitting next to the NCP. This cannot be tolerated.”

NCP chief spokesperson Umesh Patil said the NCP should pull out of the MahaYuti alliance and also demanded that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde should sack Tanaji Sawant from his ministry.

The state NCP chairman Sunil Tatkare also criticised Sawant for his anti-alliance statements.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar have repeatedly urged their party cadres to strengthen the MahaYuti to take a strong stand against Maha Vikas Aghadi in the upcoming general elections.

However, the scathing remarks by Sawant and Hake have exposed the growing divide within the MahaYuti, which is under attack from Maha Vikas Aghadi on numerous state-related issues.