Bringing into the open the internal NDA feud over its prime ministerial candidate, the BJP’s oldest ideological ally, Shiv Sena, has now suggested Ms Sushma Swaraj, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, for that job. This is the first time any NDA ally has expressed a preference for a PM candidate.
Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, in an interview in the party mouthpiece Saamna, said Ms Swaraj was the only BJP leader who was “deserving” and that she would be a “great choice” for PM. Another ally, the JD(U), has strongly opposed the choice of Gujarat CM Narendra Modi for PM, though Mr Modi is considered the top contender for the post.
The Sena’s suggestion indicates its rejection of other names like BJP president Nitin Gadkari, Leader of the Opposition in the Raya Sabha Arun Jaitley, veteran leader L.K. Advani and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, which have been doing the rounds.
Ms Swaraj had met the Sena patriarch at his Mumbai residence last week to enquire about his health. Mr Thackeray has also praised Ms Swaraj as “intelligent and brilliant”.
The Congress reacted to Mr Thackeray’s suggestion by saying the NDA was in the habit of “counting chickens before they are hatched”, while the BJP was cautious, saying it had a number of “capable” for that post.
The JD(U) and Akali Dal said any decision would be taken collectively.