(File photo)

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan on Friday lashed out at the Shiv Sena for its decision to abstain from voting on the no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government.

"The Shiv Sena should stop the farce of enjoying the fruits of power and at the same time speaking against the government of which it is a part.

"If the party's opposition is genuine, it should pull out of the government. However, the Sena is so desperate for power that instead of voting in favour of the no-confidence motion, it is running away," Chavan said.

The Sena does not voice grievances of Marathi-speaking people in Parliament, the Congress leader alleged.

"The party stands exposed, showing that its opposition to the BJP is limited to editorials in Saamana (the Sena mouthpiece) and does not extend to the floor of the House," the former chief minister said.

