Mumbai: The political course correction by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has caused ripples in Shiv Sena, which was inevitable. And the reactions by Shiv Sena leaders are also not surprising. Sensing potential threat to their core constituency, Shiv Sena leaders have become a worried lot. But there is hardly anything they can do about it. In a desperate attempt to demean Raj Thackeray in his new avatar, Shiv Sena MP and editor of party mouthpiece Saamana, Sanjay Raut has tried to give an earful to Raj Thackeray. But the later and his party seem to be least bothered about the ravings and rants of Raut.
In the editorial today in the party mouthpiece, Raut has tried to assert Shiv Sena’s claim on Hindutva and has demeaned Raj Thackeray saying that Hindutva was not a cup of tea for any Tom Dick and Harry. Raut also alleged that Raj was toeing the line of late Balasaheb Thackeray, which Shiv Sena is already following, and he had nothing new to offer to the people.
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The editorial evoked equally bitter criticism from MNS, as expected. Party general secretary Sandeep Deshpande in a tweet said, “The new age Afzal Khan has betrayed Marathi people and Hindus. Raj Thackeray has hit where it hurts the most, hence the squirm.”
While the Thackeray cousins have done many political summersaults in past one year for political gains, they never affected each other.
But this time, Raj has blatantly claimed legacy of Hindutva, leaving Shiv Sena struggling to regain the lost ground. Whether Raj gets expected results remains doubtful, but one thing is clear. He has set the ball rolling in Shiv Sena camp. Pushed to wall after alliance with Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and biting dust several times on the issue of Veer Savarkar, Shiv Sena cadre is struggling for face saving when the top leadership is busy pleasing its new masters at 10 Jan Path in New Delhi and Silver Oak in Mumbai.
Aggression is the core of very existence of Shiv Sena. It had lost the teeth when Uddhav Thackeray decided to align with Congress – NCP and keep mum on insults to Veer Savarkar. Even Sanjay Raut had to bite dust when Aditya Thackeray shunned him over is statement on Veer Savarkar and advised him to come out of history. CAA and NRC are other volatile issues where Shiv Sena cadre finds it handcuffed as its supreme leader has surrendered to none other than Sonia Gandhi. Raj Thackeray has given a programme to his party cadre. Get aggressive against illegal Muslim migrants from Pakistan and Bangladesh.
He announced a rally on February 9 and hinted at even bigger campaign to be announced on March 23. This is what Sena cadre expects and is eager to follow in total, if ‘orders’ by the leader. Unfortunately, Sena leader today is not in position to do it and that’s what Raj will take advantage of. On one hand Uddhav meets Raza Academy members at Police Commissioner’s office to discuss CAA and on the other; Raj announces aggressive campaign against illegal Muslim migrants.
Stand taken by Raj is bound to attract Sena cadre and even few leaders from grass root level. The editorial in Saamana is the clear indication that Shiv Sena leadership has got wind of the undercurrents in party. One thing is clear from the turn of events, Raj has nothing to lose and Uddhav has his party at stake. With the resentment among cadre and leaders, Uddhav will have to walk tight rope to keep his flock together and save the government too. Would he be able have the cake and eat it too?
