Modi says wont utter a word against sena

Clarifying his silence on the Shiv Sena in his election rallies so far in Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he would not speak a word against the BJP's estranged ally as a "tribute" to the late Balasaheb Thackeray.

In his election rallies in Beed, Aurangabad and Mumbai on Saturday, Mr. Modi had avoided any mention of the Sena. This triggered political analysts to conclude that it was a well-calculated political tactic of the BJP as though Mr. Modi avoided the Sena, in his speeches he evoked Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji multiple times. Shivaji is considered any icon by the Sena as well as the dominant Maratha population in the State.

"This is the first election in Maharashtra to be held in the absence of Balasaheb Thackeray. So I have decided, to show my respect for him, I will not speak a word against the Sena," Mr. Modi told a rally in Tasgaon in Sangli district.

"It is my tribute to him," he said.

Expressing his adulation for the late Thackeray, Mr. Modi said he always admired and revered the late Sena supremo for his will-power.

"To show my respect for his devotion to building the Shiv Sena, which he did against all odds and criticisms, I will not speak a word against the Shiv Sena," Mr. Modi said.

Answering newspapers and political analysts, he urged them to not weigh his stance in politics but view it as a means of expressing devotion towards Balasaheb Thackeray.

"Without understanding our feelings, don't measure this with the balance of politics. Some things are above politics."

The BJP recently split with its ally of 25 years, the Shiv Sena. While the Sena, which was left embittered after the break-up has continuously attacked the BJP for orchestrating the split, the BJP has maintained silence on the issue.