Mumbai: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday reiterated that Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should join hands post the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls.


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Speaking to news agency ANI, Gadkari said, "The numbers we have now show that the BJP and the Shiv Sena have been given a clear mandate by the people and if both the parties consider the number of seats they have acquired, it would be good if both parties work together. Both Chief Minister Devendra Fandnavis and Uddhav Thackeray must consider this."


When asked to comment on a Congress leader's claim that the Shiv Sena did approach the party for an alliance in Mumbai, Gadkari said, "The Congress wants to destablise the government and that is why they want to support Shiv Sena. Their policy is not oriented towards betterment of Mumbai and its people. BJP and Shiv Sena must remain alert."


Speaking to a Marathi TV channel on Friday Gadkari said, “there is no option for his party and Shiv Sena, but to come together,” adding that the decision, however, would have to be taken by CM Fadnavis and Uddhav Thackeray.


"Both are mature and I am sure they will take the right decision," Gadkari asserted.


In the fiercely contested BMC polls, the ruling BJP finished close second to Shiv Sena, while it pulled off a stellar performance in other civic and local bodies polls winning in eight out of the 10 municipal corporations.


While the Shiv Sena emerged on the top with 84 seats, the BJP was a close second at 82, and claiming the support of at least four independents, announced it would stake claim to the key post of Mayor.


The tally of Shiv Sena, which emerged as the single largest party after the counting on Thursday, has risen to 87 corporators with three party rebels who won as Independent nominees returning to its fold yesterday.


The BJP gained hugely in nine other major civic bodies of Maharashtra as well.