Demonetisation, GST the reasons behind current economic slowdown: Shiv Sena attacks BJP

Mumbai: Shiv Sena on Monday blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the ongoing economic slowdown in the country and questioned the Central government's economic policies. Shiv Sena alleged that the current "recession" has been caused by BJP's haphazard moves like demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST) rollout.

In its mouthpiece Saamna, Shiv Sena discussed the ongoing economic slump at length. The party lamented that the retail business across the country is suffering while the online business continues to help the foreign countries make huge amount of profits.

Shiv Sena then added that economic policies like GST rollout and demonetisation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have proved to be counterproductive to the country's economy. The ongoing slump in the economy is due to the policies of the BJP, added



Sena.

This has come a day after Shiv Sena has claimed in its mouthpiece that the "remote control of power" in Maharashtra now lies with it. Earlier on Saturday, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party had mocked the BJP for its lessened seat count in both Haryana and Maharashtra.

Shiv Sena and BJP, alliance partners in Maharashtra, are at loggerheads regarding the share of power in the state. Sena is demanding that the CM's post should be shared between the two parties for 2.5 years each while the political grapevine suggests the saffron party is only willing to give the Deputy CM post to Shiv Sena.

In the recently-held elections in Maharashtra, BJP emerged as the single largest party with 105 seats while its partner Shiv Sena won 56 seats. Both the parties comfortably breach the majority mark of 145 in the Maharashtra Assembly and are set to form government in the state.