Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday attacked the Congress and NCP in Maharashtra but said he would not utter a word against estranged ally Shiv Sena.

 

 "Some newspapers have reported that the prime minister has criticized the Shiv Sena," Modi told an election rally here.

 

 "This is the first election in the absence of Balasaheb Thackeray. I have decided I will not say anything against the Shiv Sena. This is due to my respect for the great leader," he said

 

 The Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ended their 25-year-old alliance in Maharashtra ahead of the Oct 15 elections over seat-sharing and the chief ministerial candidate.

 

 The prime minister accused the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party government of widespread corruption.

 

 "They have even snatched the homes meant for Kargil widows. Why are sugar factories shut? Why are farmers upset?"

 

 Modi thanked the people for electing the BJP to rule the country in the Lok Sabha election.

 

 He said it was shameful that some people were misusing Shivaji's name. "It was the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government which named the Mumbai airport after Shivaji."