The Shiv Sena has extended full support to the Trinamul Congress in the Bengal Assembly polls, saying the BJP was using “money, muscle and media” against Mamata Banerjee in an undemocratic manner.

Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut, after a discussion with Maharashtra chief minister and party chief Uddhav Thackeray, said: “A lot of people are curious to know whether the Shiv Sena is contesting Bengal polls or not. Looking at the present scenario, it appears like a Didi-vs-All fight. All M’s — money, muscle, media — are being used against Mamata Didi. Hence, the Sena has decided not to contest Bengal polls and stand in solidarity with her. We wish Mamata a roaring success because we believe she is the real Bengal tigress.”

While the Sena doesn’t have much political clout in Bengal, the message is important because it preferred Mamata over its ally Congress, which is contesting the election in alliance with the Left. The Congress central leadership, too, is not very concerned about this decision because it is not interested in harming Mamata in Bengal despite the aggressive posturing of the local leadership.