Eye on Shiv Sena constituency, MNS Courting BJP

BJP trades carefully. MNS ‘transit camp’ for Shiv Sainiks till new arrangement is ‘redeveloped’

Mumbai: Today Shiv Sena might be celebrating the diplomatic win while forming the government in Maharashtra. But the joy could be short lived as its constituency is under severe threat from non-other than its former ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and arch rival Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). If the hints dropped by the leaders of BJP and MNS are any indications, Shiv Sena could be staring at disaster in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections scheduled after two years.

The recent meeting of BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis and MNS chief Raj Thackeray and the turn of events after that, have given rise to possibilities that these parties can come together in future. After the meeting of the two leaders in Mumbai on Tuesday, political corridors were abuzz with the speculations that the two parties might come together. The meeting between the two leaders was bound to catch limelight especially on the back drop of the aggressive campaigning against BJP by MNS leader Raj Thackeray during recently conducted Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections. Though Fadnavis has denied possibility such alliance, MNS leaders are saying otherwise. MNS leaders are cautiously opening the roads for alliance or strategic partnership with BJP in future. Speaking to media, MNS leader Sandip Deshpande said that all the options are open in politics.

Thackeray had even gone to the extent that, cirticising the Modi government for many issues including de-monitisation, he demanded NSA Ajit Doval should be investigated to bring out the truth of few terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. After being one of the biggest admirers of Narendra Modi, Thackeray changed his stand completely and become the biggest critic. However, MNS has not gained anything despite the aggression during Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections. Rather it had been ridiculed for being parrot in the hands of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar.

But the formation of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has suddenly given a ray of hope for MNS to gain lost foot hold in the Shvi Sena constituency, which has been upset as Shiv Sena has aligned with Congress. Veteran journalist Bhau Torsekar says, it is the matter of existence for Raj Thackeray. “After Pawar abandoned him, Raj has no option but to find some support to keep himself relevant in politics. And who else than BJP, be the best option?” Torsekar says. According to him Raj Thackeray has potential to attract voters. It was proved during the state Assembly elections, he says. “Despite last minute decision to contest the Assembly elections, Raj Thackeray managed to get over 12 lakh votes. Imagine the situation, had he planned the campaign well in advance. Compare this to 50 lakh votes, Vanchit bahujan Aghadi got after tiring campaign for almost three months,” Torsekar says.

Shiv Sena leadership has antagonized its core constituency by aligning with Congress and removing the title ‘Hindu Hriday Samrat’ from the name of its founder late Balasaheb Thackeray. Sena leadership, including Uddhav Thackeray, are more than eager to bow to Congress and NCP to please them. This is not going down well with many Shiv Sainiks, who might have been looking up to Raj for an alternative. “In my opinion, MNS is like ‘transit camp’ for Shiv Sainiks till the arrangement is redeveloped,” Torsekar says. Given the current political dispensation, BJP might not directly align with MNS, but both the parties will complement each other. The future course of action will be clear on January 23, when MNS unveils its new flag, which is expected to be a focus on Marathi manoos and Hindutva.