NDA Divided deepens, Sena supports Pranab in Presidential Election

Mumbai.  In what could be a major embarrassment for the BJP, its key alliance Shiv Sena on Tuesday has announced unconditional support to Congress presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee. The Shiv Sena has in its mouthpiece ‘Saamna’ expressed its support for Pranab Mukherjee.
Shiv Sena Supremo Bal Thackeray in the editorial said, “Nobody should accuse Shiv Sena of ‘vishwasghaat’. The decision was purely based on national interest.” “The dignity of the nation should not be compromised for narrow political gains. If you don’t have a sword don’t enter the battlefield. We should all come together and back Pranab Mukherjee and show the world we are united,” he added.
The assurance was given to Mukherjee who called up Sena chief Bal Thackeray and his son Uddhav Thackeray, the party executive president, on Monday, Sena sources said.
Sena, the oldest ideological ally of BJP, was understood to be concerned over the approach of NDA to the presidential polls and disappointed about the fact that the alliance has not been able finalise its candidate.
Shiv Sena had supported Pratibha Patil in 2007, breaking ranks with BJP as Patil hailed from Maharashtra.
BJP and other NDA constituents had at that time backed late Bhairon Singh Shekhawat for the post.