Tasgaon (Maharashtra): 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 choice in the absence of Balasaheb Thackeray.'ve Decided I will not say anything against the Shiv Sena. This is because of my respect for the great leader," said 

The Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ended their 25-year-old alliance in Maharashtra ahead of the elections of 15 October on exchange seats and the main ministerial candidate. 

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

"Even households have snatched for the widows of Kargil. Why sugar factories are closed, why farmers are upset?" 

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

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