KOLKATA: Hailing West Bengal Chief Minister as the "real Bengal Tigress", the Shiv Sena today announced that it won't contest the upcoming West Bengal polls and extended support to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
After a meeting with the party heads, the Shiv Sena has said that it would not join the electoral battle in the state and vowed to "stand in solidarity" with Mamata Banerjee led Trinamool Congress TMC.
Making the announcement on Twitter, Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut stated, "A lot of people are curious to know whether Shiv Sena is contesting West Bengal Polls or not? So here's the update after discussions with Party President Uddhav ji Thackeray," Raut tweeted.
"Looking at the present scenario, it appears like a "Didi vs All" fight. All 'M's - Money, Muscle and Media are being used against 'M'amata Didi. Hence, Shiv Sena has decided not to contest West Bengal polls and stand in solidarity with her. We wish Mamata Didi a 'roaring' success, 'cos we believe She is the real Bengal Tigress," he added.
After the Rashtriya Janata Dal and Samajwadi Party (SP), the Shiv Sena extended its support to TMC.
The BJP and the TMC are giving a tough fight ahead of the elections, from stitching an alliance to switching parties and name calling, the West Bengal election is considered to be one of the key battles to be fought in the nation. While the BJP is leaving no stone unturned to make inroads to the state and dethrone the TMC supremo, Mamata vowed to retain power in the state.
Election to the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held in eight phases from March 27 to April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.