Why Raj Thackeray still rules the audience

After tasting two consecutive defeats in the parliamentary and assembly elections in Maharashtra, the political pundits and public in general, thought that Raj Thackeray led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) was doomed and his political career is finished. With no presence in either house of parliament and but nominal presence in state legislature - MNS has just one member in state assembly - Raj's clout was nowhere to be seen. Even the numerous corporators elected on his party tickets failed to put up any show of performance earning a scorn from public as much as from Raj himself. Thus the railway engine - the election symbol of MNS- was on the downward path. The famed and feared oratory of perpetually angry Raj was but a shadow of its theatrical version seen mere five years ago.

However, even today, when Thackeray's bête noir Shiv Sena is accommodated itself in the roles of partner in power as also the player in politics and state's politics fragmented beyond repair, Raj rules the public mind.

The fact came to fore on Tuesday, June 10, when Raj attended a function to confer Sant Namdev National Award to Prakash Singh Badal, Chief Minister of Punjab. The award was given by Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra and the award was given by Sarhad, an NGO based in Pune. Raj was the Chief Guest at the function. When his name was announced, there was a loud cheer from the audience - a mixed bag of Maharashtrians and Sikh citizens.

He started his speech by addressing 'all Marathi people' and in the same breath added that he deemed Sikhs as Marathi people. There was a loud clapping which was hardly surprising.

Then true to his fame for wit and punches, he quipped that Badal (cloud) had come in Maharashtra on the eve of monsoon so that there may be rain. Every one in the auditorium applauded the nice words of play and novel way of welcome. Even Badal seemed to be curious ad he was seen asking Fadnavis a translation of the humor.

Taking a cue from Sarhad's Sanjay Nahar, Raj then went on to say that Sant Namdev bound Maharashtra and Punjab's cultures in one thread and only a tailor could do this. This was an hitherto unnoticed and unused observation which pointed to the Sant Namdev's caste (Shimpi). Had the public not responded with applause and appreciation, they would be blamed. But the praise was well received and hall resonated with cheers. Even the Sikhs who knew Marathi put their seal of appreciation on the quirky description of the great work this 13th century saint did. Clearly he stole the show. Even Fadnavis borrowed his words to express his feelings.

Raj, like his cousin Uddhav and uncle Bal Thackeray, is adept at capturing the mood of the masses and regaling them to his advantage. He may have lost elections but he has not lost his charms and talent. That is the promise for the time for his partymen.

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Raj Warns Party Workers; Will It Work?

 Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday warned his party cadres not to indulge in indiscipline or face his wrath. He cautioned them not to put up banners on the leaders’ birthdays and advised them not to chase vote politics.

Thackeray was speaking in Pune after deliberating with the party workers for three days in view of the two subsequent debacles of his party in Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. The meet was attended by the party workers, functionaries and corporators.

He said, “Don’t chase the votes for the sake of votes but connect with people as one among them. Think yourself as not party functionary but as common person. It is not that people have deserted us but you have failed to connect with the people. Now is the time to do constructive work.”

Thackeray kept himself off from criticizing any party while referring to the party’s poor performance in recent elections but took potshots on Nationalist Congress Party saying that the leaders on NCP’s posters are like ten-faced Ravan. “Anybody who puts the hoardings for wishing on birthdays will face axe the same day and he will not be in our party,” he said.

He said, “I have analyzed the reasons for the outcome and I will reinvigorate the party in Pune as well as in other districts. However, don’t indulge in indiscipline or infighting. Otherwise, those people will face the action. The party has a certain frame and none of you should cross that frame.”

Thackeray also announced the email connectrajthackeray@gmail.com for the party workers to directly communicate with him and appealed them to convey anything.

Now the question remains: will it work? It will be amusing to see!

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Will Prithviraj Prove His Mettle In Budget Session?

Chief Minister of Maharashtra Prithviraj Chavan is facing the budget session of state legislature first time since taking over charge of his post over 100 days ago. The timing is not so right main opposition party Bharatiya Janata Party is roaring with rants against the rule of Mafias in the state. On the other side of political spectrum, Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena are preparing themselves for the impending elections of Zilla Parishads and municipal corporations. The quadrangle is completed by Nationalist Congress Party which does not let go any chance of showdown against its ruling alliance partner.

Even though Congress enjoys the most MLAs and MPs from Maharashtra, it is still groping in dark because of lack of able leadership. CM Chavan, even though a good hand at the administration, has no nose for politics. Former CM Ashok Chavan was a seasoned politician who talked in same language with NCP when he lead the cabinet. However, he had to part with chair because of one of the worst scandals that hit the state.

Ashok Chavan resigned after it was surfaced that his relatives owned flats in the now infamous Adarsh Society. With this background in mind, it was completely obvious that Prithviraj chosed to play it safe. He ensured to create an image of Mr. Clean and reigned over the builders' lobby.

However, in his endeavour to mend the administration, he forgot to make it move. The administration came to a standstill. Now, the Congressmen themselves started to blame own government. On February 3, some 25 Congress MLAs held a meeting at former minister Baba Siddiqi's house. Those who attended the meeting criticised the tardiness of administration. Interestingly, Chavan was present in the meeting. 

 

Even as Prithviraj steered clear of corruption allegations and scandals, he could not evade the controversies. The state government first faced the ire of media and public when additional collector of Nashik,was burned alive by oil mafia Popat Shinde in Manmad on January 25. Last week, CM Chavan again found himself in thick of fire when Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh named him as culprit for appointing P. J. Thomas as Chief Vigilance Commissioner. Chavan, thanks to his academic skills and graciousness of PM, could avert the allegations. 

 

These chain of affairs has not helped the Congress party in view of impending civic bodies elections. Matters are made worse because CM Chavan is not elected to any house of legislature. Sanjay Dutt, the member of Legislative Council has shown readiness to vacate his seat for CM. But a definite course of events is still far away.

With Congree in search of impressive leadership and opposition's armoury full with weapons, the budget session is sure to prove a hard nut to crack for CM.

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Marathi Is Flavour Of Season Ahead Of May 1

With Maharashtra completing 50 years this May 1, the political activity is in full swing. The Congress-NCP government and almost every political party in the state is organising plethora of programmes to celebrate the foundation day of Maharashtra.

The flavour of the season is of course being Marathi. After Maharashtra Navnirman Sena achieved spectacular success in assembly elections, everybody is trying to appear Marathi.

The main official function would be at the sprawling Shivaji Park in central Mumbai in the morning. 'Suvarna Maharashtra Darshan' exhibition is also organised to mark the golden jubilee year of the formation of the state. Freedom fighters from Pune today took water from rivers and soil from the forts as well as historic places. These will be sprinkled at the Hutatma Chowk in Mumbai. The initiative is being implemented in all districts of the state.

A scintillating laser show would be organised at Girgaum Chowpatty and Marine Drive here on May 1, officials said. Not to be left behind, Shiv Sena and MNS have also organised separate programmes. After taking its blood donation to Guinness Book Of Records, Shiv Sena is relying on another magnificent event in which none other  than legendary Lata Mangeshkar will sing the Maharashtra song. The trivia in the event is that Mangeshkar had sung the same song, ‘Bahu Asot Sundar’ 50 years ago when a grand ceremony had taken place on May 1, 1960.

Not to be left behind, MNS has hogged limelight with the food festival being organised in Mumbai. The festival showcases cuisines from all over the Maharashtra and has drawn lot of visitors. A similar festival is organised in Pune also. Even the state government has organised a cultural event tomorrow at Shaniwar Wada.

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Cases Count Too Little Against Raj Thackerey

Raj Thackerey, it seems has become the new obsession of media and police and administration.

PTI has reported that Raj Thackeray. chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena is facing as many as 73 criminal cases in various courts all over Maharashtra for allegedly inciting riots which broke out after his arrest in connection with anti-North Indian tirade launched by his party in 2008, police said.

Of the 73 cases, Raj has appeared in six cases and secured bail. In the rest of the cases he has yet to appear in person and get bail, the report quotes.

As the cases are still in the court of law, one can not authoritatively comment on them. But there seems no reason to believe that these cases will cause any damage to his political career. Foremost of all, he is not going to contest a election so he is unlikely to lose something. His erstwhile mentor and inspiration Balasaheb Thackerey, the Shive Sena chief forfeited his right to vote for six years but commands the same authority over his party. Raj can do the same.

The cases, in truly Maharashtra police fashion, are built on some distant relations. Raj can claim he had not directly incited the crowd and whatever happened was a legitimate reaction from his angry followers. If only, the count of cases only provides a relief to the rival parties, which unfortunately includes mediamen.

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Gear Changing Politics of Maharashtra

The Congress leadership in Maharashtra have once again demonstrated why the party is able to rule the state even after so many failures on many fronts. The government has succeeded in creating a issue which was non-existent, lending a hand to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.

Chief Minister Ashok Chavan backtracked from state government's decision of giving licenses only to those taxi drivers who know Marathi.  He said taxi drivers should know any local language including Hindi and Gujarati.

The Congress and Nationalist Congress Party government had decided yesterday to give new taxi licenses to only those well versed in Marathi and state resident the state for at least 15 years.

Yesterday's decision was seen as toeing the line of Raj Thackeray led MNS. That was sure to create harsh reactions, especially from media leading to the backtracking. Now, after CM's volte face, MNS adopted the aggressive posture. Raj Thackerey has threatened that no new taxi will be allowed to come on road if the license is given to non-Maharashtrians.

On the face of it, MNS and Congress will be biggest beneficiaries of the developments arising from this issue. The inherent politics seems push Shiv Sena to more marginalisation as Shiv Sena presents itself as the champion of the Marathi cause. Predictably, it has come with condemnation of CM saying that Chavan has degraded the post. In the days to come, more verbal duel will follow. 

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