BJP censures Shiv Sena over negative remarks on Nawaz-Modi meeting

BJP leader advises Shiv Sena chief to change its perception of Pakistan

MUMBAI: India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday censured its own ally in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena, advising it to be focus on resolving the country’s civic problems instead of needlessly commenting on national issues.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had on Friday expressed reservations about the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar, while criticising Shiv Sena chief over his recent remarks against Nawaz-Modi meeting, said, “Uddhav Thackeray should have first sought information on Modi's meeting with Sharif. The meeting between the two Prime Ministers was of national importance."

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The BJP chief went on to add: "Since the trial of 26/11 Mumbai attacks is going on in a Pakistani court, Modi coaxed Pakistan into completing it faster. Several Indian fishermen are lodged in Pakistani jails. The meeting also focused on their release.”

"Everybody has the right to speak about India-Pakistan relations and what is happening in Jammu & Kashmir. But what is needed is a change of perception so that you can see the changed conditions," Shelar further added.

Earlier on Friday, Shiv Sena chief Uddhay Thackeray had expressed his reservations about the meeting between the Pakistani prime minister and his Indian counterpart.

Terming Modi's meeting with Sharif as 'unfortunate', Thackeray had said "the neighbouring country [Pakistan] needs to be taught a lesson in a manner it understands" as there was no change in the conditions on the border.

Read: UN urges Pakistan, India to take steps to ease tensions

Meanwhile, Shelar also came down hard on Shiv Sena over recent flooding in Mumbai as it controls the Municipal Corporation of the city.

"While the Sena speaks about issues of national importance, why doesn't it take action against MCGM contractors who are doing substandard work of cleaning the drainage system? It (also) needs to focus on the increasing number of leptospirosis cases in Mumbai," he said.

This article originally appeared on The Times of India