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Shiv Sena's Hindi mouthpiece 'Dopahar Ka Saamna', today poured vitriol on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing that he and his party had forgotten Sena's contribution to their landslide victory in the Lok Sabha elections.
However, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray later distanced himself from the article in the newspaper.
"The BJP did not win the Lok Sabha elections due to Narendra Modi alone. If the Sena had withdrawn its support before the Loks Sabha elections, just as BJP has done now (by breaking the alliance with Sena before Maharashtra assembly polls), even.... could not have won in the Lok Sabha elections," an article by Prem Shukla, editor of `Dopahar ka Saamna', said.
"Modi has not won the elections on his own. Now when Modi has become the Prime Minister, he does not acknowledge Shiv Sena anymore. He indicated this at the time of the formation of cabinet," it said.
However, later in the day, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray distanced himself from the article.
"Uddhav Thackeray has distanced himself from the article...and (he) does not agree with the usage of words for Mr Narendra Modi. Yes, the party workers are deeply hurt and disappointed that they put in their best efforts to make Modi's victory possible....and feel back-stabbed that now the BJP is out to finish the same Shiv Sena that helped BJP in Maharashtra," party spokesperson Harshal Pradhan said.
"Uddhav Thackeray, however, has respect for Modi and distances himself from the language used in the article," he added.