'Cunningness' does not always work in politics: Shiv Sena to BJP

Mumbai: As BJP tries to recover from its Bihar poll debacle, ally Shiv Sena on Tuesday dealt another blow to the party, saying that "cunningness" does not always work in politics and that the common man will respond appropriately if promises made are not fulfilled.

"Many times a wave comes and then goes. Once it goes, there remains no trace of that wave. It is true that BJP had a big win in the Lok Sabha election, but the credit for that victory goes to the weak and ineffective leadership of Gandhi.

"There was no strong 'pehelwan' in the arena and it (BJP) thus emerged as the 'bahubali'," the Sena organ said while also ridiculing the BJP leaders for giving advice to others on shedding ego.

Taking a dig at BJP, Sena further said that their leaders are "great" and "cannot make any mistake" and whatever they say should be considered true. However, the editorial added that "in politics, cunningness does not always work".

Several non-NDA parties have hailed the handsome mandate for the JD(U)-RJD-Congress alliance in Bihar polls as a "victory of principles" and defeat of the "arrogance" of BJP.

"(BJP leader) Sushil Kumar Modi has advised (RJD chief) Lalu Prasad to shed his ego after winning the Bihar elections. It is comical to see BJP leaders giving advice on ego to others, but in politics and specially during election times, such comical things keep happening," it said.

Sena, a partner in the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra, said nobody had a the formula for consistently winning elections.

The party further remarked that after the Lok Sabha polls, BJP could not win the majority in the Maharashtra Assembly elections despite using what the editorial claimed was its "tremendous money power".

Sena also criticised BJP over the sky-rocketing prices of essential commodities.

"A common man has small dreams. Control over inflation, good education for his children, a roof over his head and security. But what have people got until now?" it asked.

"Inflation is not being brought under control and traders are indulging in illegal hoarding, thus creating a shortage of foodstuffs," the editorial charged.