New Delhi, Feb 18 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday welcomed finalisation of seat sharing talks between BJP and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra and exuded confidence that the move will strengthen the NDA significantly.
"Our association with the Shiv Sena goes beyond politics. We are bound by a desire to see a strong and developed India. The decision to contest together strengthens the NDA significantly," Prime Minister tweeted.
He further said: "I am sure our alliance is going to be Maharashtra’s first and only choice".
Mr Modi said "inspired by the vision of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji and Balasaheb Thackeray Ji, BJP-Shiv Sena alliance will continue working for the well-being of Maharashtra and ensuring the state once again elects representatives who are development oriented, non corrupt and proud of India’s cultural ethos".
Former BJP president and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also took to the micro blogging site and complimented the workers of both the parties.
He also exuded confidence that the alliance will do well and the NDA will be able to form "government with a strong majority"
Earlier in Mumbai, BJP and Shiv Sena buried all their past differences and sealed a pact for the ensuing 2019 Lok Sabha and assembly elections.
BJP president Amit Shah and Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi and other senior leaders made the announcement at a joint media briefing.
Mr Fadnavis said the BJP will contest 25 and the Sena 23, of the total 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state.
However, in the 288-member Assembly, after finalising the share of other alliance partners, the two parties shall contest in the ratio of 50:50.
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