State BJP chief Raosaheb Danve (centre) at a press conference in the city on Friday. (Source: Pavan Khengre) State BJP chief Raosaheb Danve (centre) at a press conference in the city on Friday. (Source: Pavan Khengre)

State BJP chief Raosaheb Danve on Friday said there was ‘no harm’ in the scheduled meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar in Baramati.

“We never considered anyone to be ‘untouchables’. It is good that those calling us ‘untouchable’ are meeting our leader. The elections are over so the differences should be kept aside. There is nothing wrong in two senior leaders meeting to discuss development issues,” said Danve in a press conference.

He clarified that nothing should be read into the meeting as it was not being organised in order to keep a check on any of its alliance partners.

The Shiv Sena is an independent party and so is the Bharatiya Janata Party and every party is free to work as per their choice, the state BJP chief said, claiming that the BJP’s relations with the Shiv Sena are good.

Refusing to rule out the option of contesting independently in the polls of the local civic body, Danve said, “The party is clear on its policy of pre-election alliance with the Sena for elections of local civic body. The decision of the alliance is taken by the local unit and the state unit only gives a nod to it.”

On the protest of the Sena over the public rally of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, the state BJP chief said the party is a supporter of the freedom of speech but also believes in putting a check on anyone who is making statements to spread hatred in society.

Danve said that Devendra Fadnavis is an efficient chief minister of the state and that there were no problems between the chief minister and senior party leader Eknath Khadse.

On the criticism of the BJP-led government by opposition parties on failing to fulfill the promises made during elections in 100 days of the rule, the state BJP chief said that the party manifesto was for five years and not for 100 days.

“The BJP-led government has come to power in the state in a difficult situation and they are taking all possible steps to give good governance to citizens,” he said, adding the performance of the party could be assessed by its upcoming budget for the state.

He addressed party workers on the preparation for the next civic polls so as to retain the winning streak of the party in the city after it won the Lok Sabha seat and all the eight Assembly seats.

“The programme of registering members for the party is being conducted in full swing with targets given to party leaders,” Danve said.

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