Mumbai: In an implied attack on the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Amit Shah has stated that in case of no coalition, the saffron party will defeat its former allies in the upcoming general polls.

This is almost certainly for the first time that the ruling PM Modi led BJP has taken a firm stand in the issue of coalition with its long-time but now separated partner - Shiv Sena.

The proclamation from the BJP chief came straight away after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis set a goal of winning 40 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Reports suggested that reacting to it, the Shiv Sena stated that it was ready to take on whoever challenges it.

Shah and  CM Fadnavis  both addressed BJP workers from Latur, Osmanabad, Hingoli and Nanded districts in Latur city on Sunday.

Amit Shah in his confident address said that Party workers should get rid of confusion about (prospects of) coalition (with the Shiv Sena). If the allies join us, we will ensure their succeed, or else will beat them too ("patak denge").He also added that  party workers should set up preparations at every booth.