We're the big brother in any alliance: Shiv Sena

Speaking to the media on Monday, party leader Sanjay Raut said: "Shiv Sena is the big brother (in alliances) in Maharashtra and will continue to be so."

Mentioning that there has been no proposal yet from the BJP to form an alliance with his party in the next general elections, he said: "Those who wish to forge an alliance with us are talking about it. We are not waiting for any proposal to be offered to us."

BJP appears to be interested to have Shiv Sena as its ally in Maharashtra because the party in power at the Centre have not responded to numerous jibes by the Sena against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the party at large.

Recently, Shiv Sena's president Uddhav Thackeray said Congress would gain from Priyanka Gandhi's formal entry into the party at a time its ally, the BJP, was slamming the move.

In an editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamna, The Indian Express quoted Thackeray as saying: "Priyanka Gandhi looks exactly like Indira Gandhi, which is reflected in her demeanour as well. The Congress will certainly gain in the Hindi heartland. Despite fears that Robert Vadera’s secret deals would come out in open, she has taken the plunge in active politics… The Priyanka cannon is firing and if she pulls in crowds for her rallies, she will emerge as the trump card just like Indira Gandhi was.”

The Sena chief also expressed his support for Rahul Gandhi and slammed the BJP for calling Congress president a failure.

“Rahul Gandhi... has cornered the government on Rafale issue. Forget about this, in three key states, Congress has snatched power from BJP and revived a dying Congress. Not giving him credit is a reflection of bad intentions,” he said.

He also praised Rahul for the stand he took despite the BSP and SP forming and alliance in Uttar Pradesh and not including the Congress. He wrote: “BSP and SP kept Congress out of their seat-sharing equations. But Rahul Gandhi did not create a ruckus and with utmost restraint said there was no problem and that the Congress would fight all seats in Uttar Pradesh and wherever possible will help SP and BSP. Taking this stand and bringing Priyanka into politics shows there is a plan in place and it will benefit the Congress.”

On the issue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "family jibe" at the Congress, the Sena chief said: “If people have accepted their heirs, why are some people getting stomach ache?”

Shortly after Priyanka's formal entry into the Congress on Wednesday, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Rout had said "acche din"  had come for the Congress.

"I have been noticing for the past two months that the Congress's acche din have come after they won the elections in three states. Ever since, I felt that Priyanka ji will enter politics in Uttar Pradesh."

"Achhe din" was BJP's refrain during its 2014 general election campaign.