Bharatiya Janata Party National President Amit Shah on Friday said it was the party’s “ardent desire” to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in alliance with the Shiv Sena. Uddhav Thackeray’s party has indicated that it wishes to contest the polls alone.

“The Shiv Sena is an alliance partner, which is in government at the Centre and state,” Shah said, according to The Indian Express. “Therefore, we wish to continue and contest together.”

He further said: “Ahead of every election new alliances and consolidation of forces are inevitable. But the BJP is also confident of going along with its National Democratic Alliance partners to the next elections and pulling a grand victory.”

At the MahaRally in Mumbai to celebrate the saffron party’s 38th Foundation Day, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis praised Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

“Balasaheb Thackeray did not belong to our party,” Fadnavis said. “But I must mention his immense contribution to the country and to Maharashtra. He has always remained and would continue to be our inspiration.” Fadnavis had said in January that the Shiv Sena stands to lose more than the BJP if it goes solo in the 2019 polls.

The BJP president said that the party had progressed from winning just two Lok Sabha seats (in 1984) to ruling at the Centre with its allies. “However, the golden moment is still awaited. It will mark the day we emerge a winning party in states like West Bengal and Odisha,” Shah said.