BJP will back Sena: Mahajan

The BJP is firmly behind Shiv Sena in the ongoing tussle between the party and expelled leader Narayan Rane, said party general secretary Pramod Mahajan. ‘‘We hope that the strength of Shiv Sena remains 62 after Rane’s expulsion from the party,’’ Mahajan told reporters after a meeting of the party’s state unit here. “We are not concerned with the tussle within the Sena, but wish that it is resolved amicably,” Mahajan said. Mahajan said his party has not given any thought to staking claim for the post of leader of Opposition so far. The BJP meeting was attended by state chief Nitin Gadkari and legislative party leader in the lower House Gopinath Munde, among others.