By aligning with MLA Bachchu Kadu, the maverick politician from Vidarbha, Shiv Sena's Executive President Uddhav Thackeray has yet again proved that he was dead serious about opposing BJP. Kadu, who runs his outfit Prahaar in Vidarbha, is known mainly for his outlandish agitations. Since these agitations involve people's core issues, he enjoys a huge following in the region. It is the same region where Shiv Sena faced noticeable losses during the recently held municipal elections. It is the same region where BJP registered its strong performance accounting for almost one-third of its seats in the same elections that lifted it up to the top spot.
Thus, joining hands with Kadu will ensure that Shiv Sena will leverage the former's popularity to challenge the blitzkrieg of its once-ally. Shiv Sena needs an aggresive leader in Vidarbha to counter BJP while Kadu needs a party like Shiv Sena. Interestingly, Kadu, an independent MLA from Achalpur in Amravati district, has extended support tp the Devendra Fadnavis' government. It is another marking of Thackeray's sulking and taking his saffron friend-turned-adversary head on.
Actually another of his current adversaries and cousin Raj Thackeray pioneered this art. However, none has matched the level of perfection that Uddhav Thackeray has attained. He has given shape to a new kind of politics in Maharashtra where he is the ruler and opposition and that too concurrently!
Just before completing (one must stay away from using the word 'celebrating!) two years in the Devendra Fadnavis-led government, Uddhav Thackeray came up with another salvo. In the meeting held with the Shiv Sena shakha pramukhs and vibhag pramukhs, he was understood to have expressed his displeasure on the non-performance of his party ministers. He reportedly conveyed his unhappiness over the fact the party didn't use the power even when after being part of the ruling coalition.
One doesn't know how much salt these reports hold, but it is hardly surprising even when they turn out to be entirely true. Ever since the Fadnavis-led government has assumed charge, Shiv Sena has received a raw treatment. To start with, its ministers were allocated with non-descript portfolios and most of them were made state ministers. Thus, most of them are working under a BJP minister.
Except for Industries Minister Subhash Desai, no Shiv Sena leader has been able to showcase his prowess, let alone achievements. For example, Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam fought a long battle with the bureaucrats in his ministry for the authority to approve development projects. It was CM Fadnavis himself who had to intervene and pacify the matter.
At various occasions, Uddhav Thackeray has expressed the need for giving more authority to Shiv Sena ministers. However, the CM has exploited the vulnerability of its apparent ally and actual rival. The recent results of the municipal councils in the state have established Fadnavis as an able leader and Shiv Sena as the foremost rival of BJP. Having decimated Congress and Nationalist Congress Party, the CM enjoys popular support and goodwill of party bosses.
Uddhav Thackeray harmed his own interests when in the fever of election campaigning, he compared Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah to Aurangzeb and Afzal Khan. Both the leaders are known for their self-loving nature. They could have never taken that diatribe easily. As was expected, they harbored a hatred for their faithful friend for 25 years. It was only because of CM Fadnavis' insistence that Shivsrna was allowed an entry to the government, as the CM didn't want any truck with the NCP.
Uddhav Thackeray, who inherited a blatantly raging party from his father Balasaheb Thackeray, moderated it to a great measure. He tried and managed to turn a party of vandalism into the party of discourse and debate. Now, he wants to take the U-turn and make the cadre furious again. The matters become a bit complex here because after enjoying the power for two years, not many Shiv Sena members are ready to abandon it. This explains Uddhav Thackeray's helplessness in sticking to power even after so much humiliation.
This is a very curious turn in Maharashtra's politics. Both Shiv Sena and BJP flourished in the state, as in other parts of the country, on the strong Hinduist agenda. As they gained force, after going through a roller coaster ride, both are them in power today. However, neither of them is talking of Hindutva anymore.
On one hand BJP, buoyed by Narendra Modi's cult status, is talking about development and infrastructure. On the another, Shiv Sena's Hinutva has zeroed on anti-Pakistanism. It has lost many of its basic ingredients that made it palatable and appealing to masses,say, two decades ago. And yet, both of them are enjoying a comfortable ride in the absence of credibility on the part of opposition parties - Congress and Nationalist Congress Party.
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