Mumbai: In an attempt to woo Mumbai’s Gujarati community as it campaigns for the city’s upcoming civic body polls, the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra has engaged Gujarat’s young Patel community leader Hardik Patel. On Tuesday, Patel paid a visit to Matoshri, the Thackeray residence, to “pay tributes to Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray".

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said at a joint press conference with Patel that the Patidar community leader would be the face of Shiv Sena in Gujarat in the assembly elections around December this year. “We will have a lasting friendship with Hardik and if needed, Shiv Sena will contest Gujarat elections and he will be our face there," Thackeray said. He, however, did not give a direct answer to a question on whether Patel would be Shiv Sena’s chief ministerial candidate in Gujarat.

Also read: Mumbai civic polls: Shiv Sena’s toughest battle yet

Thackeray also indicated that the Shiv Sena may not continue to support the Bharatiya Janata Party in Maharashtra. “The election code of conduct is in force for a certain period. Likewise, the government in Maharashtra is on a notice period and you will know soon when the period ends," he said. The BJP in Maharashtra has 123 seats, 22 short of a simple majority, and the Shiv Sena, with 63 seats, is part of the ruling alliance.

However, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis separately ruled out any threat to his government. “My government will complete its five-year term," Fadnavis said without elaborating how the government would survive if the Sena withdrew support. On Patel meeting Thackeray, Fadnavis said it was a “sign of nervousness on Shiv Sena’s part and I wish Shiv Sena all the best".

The influential Gujarati community accounts for nearly 22% of Mumbai’s population and has largely supported the BJP since the mid-1980s. In its fierce fight with the Shiv Sena for the 227-member BMC, the BJP is banking heavily on support from the Gujarati community. Sensing this, the Shiv Sena has reached out to the trading community and fielded 11 Gujarati candidates in Mumbai.

Also read: BMC polls: BJP to contest 195 seats; leaves 32 for allies

In the last one month, the Shiv Sena has also inducted some prominent Gujarati community members who were previously with the BJP.

Much before Uddhav Thackeray called off Shiv Sena’s alliance with the BJP, Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamna had heaped praise on Patel for organizing a strong Patel agitation in Gujarat “which showed that not all sections of the society were happy in Modi’s Gujarat". Patel has often said he has high regard for Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

BJP’s North East Mumbai MP Kirit Somaiya, a Gujarati himself, made light of Patel’s meeting with Thackeray. “Mumbai’s Gujarati community has been a strong supporter of the BJP for nearly 30 years now. There are no caste divisions in Mumbai’s Gujarati community. It takes pride in its identity as Mumbai’s Gujarati community," Somaiya said.

PTI also contributed to this story.

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