The strange contradiction in Maharashtra’s turbulent coalition politics has become apparent, as the Shiv Sena (UBT) faces its worst ever existential crisis on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the Bal Thackeray-envisioned Shiv Sena – a party that has dominated Mumbai politics for four consecutive decades, say political observers.
Amid speculation that six of his party’s MPs are set to cross over to the rival Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, a shell-shocked Uddhav Thackeray said with great aversion on Monday that he is ready to dig a lone furrow. He added: “Whoever wants to leave the party can resign.”
However, by Wednesday, the calm Thackeray was ready to work on his next strategy. Interestingly, the defection exercise is named “Operation Tiger” – another irony.
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While Thackeray held talks with his senior party colleagues in Matoshree, his trusted lieutenant Sanjay Raut was in New Delhi trying to defuse the crisis. Anil Desai and Arvind Sawant – both Sena MPs (UBT) – are also camping out in New Delhi, studying the lofty constitutional books and parliamentary rules of procedure to abort dissidence. Among the six MPs, Sanjay Dina Patel indicated that he was not keen on joining the Shinde force.
Raut and Desai held talks with senior lawyers in Delhi about the legal action to be taken in case the six rebels jump the fence in search of greener pastures.
“Our legal side would have been strong had the Supreme Court delivered its ruling on the Sena’s (UBT) petition challenging the Election Commission order allowing the Shinde faction to use the Shiv Sena nomenclature and the party’s ‘bow and arrow’ symbol,” Sena’s (UBT) chief leader Anil Parab told HT.
Shiv Sena crisis: What analysts say
Sena analysts said Thackeray may find it difficult to deal with the latest crisis which should be viewed in the context of the fast-changing nature of Indian politics. “It is all about money. No political party can match the money and resources of the BJP. MPs and legislators are willing to be bought off. The audacity with which the BJP is doing this is vulgar,” said writer and Sena historian Prakash Akolkar.
Yet the prevailing view in the Sena (UBT) – that of 20-something Marathi youth weaned on the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji – is that Thackeray must confront the BJP head-on. “It is time someone stood up to the BJP and exposed its evil design to eliminate opposition parties across the country – be it the Thackeray Sena or the Trinamool Congress,” a Sena functionary (UBT) from Sewri said.
He suggested that Raut’s latest post on $“15 crores every night to switch sides”) should serve as the party’s anti-BJP slogan. “After eliminating our party, the BJP will be ready to devour the Shinde Sena,” he pointed out.
Where do Sena workers stand?
Many from the grassroots said they were ready to put up a fight in the streets to oppose “Operation Tiger”. But, Uddhav Sahib should shed his shyness and inspire the party grassroots,” said Vinod Chavan, a Sena sympathiser.
He stated that the Sena (UBT) will get huge public sympathy in the Mumbai-MMR belt if the BJP goes ahead with its game plan, backed by Shinde. “After swallowing six MLAs, the BJP will move closer to the MLAs and corporates. However, the more the BJP tries to clip the Sena’s (UBT) wings the more the anger against the BJP will grow. Marathas have begun to hate the BJP for its autocratic style of functioning, its pro-business tendencies and its complete disregard for democratic values. Uddhav Sahib should tap into the discontent brewing in the country. The valleys and valleys of Mumbai,” Chavan added.
“Balasaheb would often say that courage is what matters – ‘himat’. If we lose courage we lose everything. Fortunately, both Uddhavji and Shiv Sainik are full of ‘himat’,” Parab said.
Thackeray is likely to detail his future strategy at the party’s anniversary celebration scheduled to be held in Mumbai next week. He will also hold talks with MLAs from the Sena (UBT), who will soon be camping in Mumbai for the monsoon session.
