THE SENA’S SLOW RETREAT
Living in ally BJP’s shadow, the party is contesting the lowest number of assembly seats ever
Afortnight ago, at an event in Thane, a group of senior citizens complained to Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray that some state government schemes meant for them were mired in problems. Thackeray turned to Eknath Shinde, a Sena minister who wields influence in the area, to sort out their issues at the earliest. “Even I can avail the benefits of the schemes from next year,” joked the 59-year-old Thackeray, who is fighting a battle of perception in this state assembly election. This election has seen several lows for the Sena. Not only is it contesting the lowest number of assembly seats (124 of the 288) in its history, it has agreed to play second fiddle to alliance partner BJP.
At a joint press conference with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai on October 4, Thackeray conceded he had made compromises while joining hands with the BJP for this election. “I compromised for the welfare of Maharashtra. Though 124 may seem a small number, this election will give the Shiv Sena its biggest ever tally in the Vidhan Sabha,” he claimed. While the BJP and Sena maintain that all is well with the alliance, ground realities suggest otherwise. BJP rebels are challenging Sena candidates in five constituencies; Sena rebels are pitted against BJP candidates in 15 seats. A major flashpoint is the Kankavali seat in Sindhudurg district, where the Sena has fielded Satish Sawant against the BJP’s candidate Nitesh Rane, son of former Sena chief minister Narayan Rane. Interestingly, both Thackeray and Fadnavis are scheduled to campaign for their respective candidates on October 16.
Thackeray’s biggest challenge will be to keep the Sena united in case the BJP secures a majority on its own. He has assured party workers the Sena will have an equal share in power. “People will know what equal sharing of power means once the results have been declared and we form the government,” says Thackeray.
A cautious Thackeray has tried to play down the excitement over his son Aaditya’s candidature from the Worli seat in Mumbai. He also dismisses talk of Aaditya being a potential candidate for the post of chief minister or deputy chief minister. “Aaditya contesting an election does not mean he will become chief minister or deputy CM. Wait for some time. He is interested in learning legislative matters,” says Thackeray.
The Sena’s manifesto has various pro-people sops, such as medical treatment at Re 1, an annual aid of Rs 10,000 for poor farmers, free education for girls of poor families and homes for all under the chief minister’s housing scheme. But, as even Thackeray realises, getting these off the ground will require generous help from big brother BJP.
UDDHAV HAS ASSURED WORKERS THE SENA WILL HAVE AN EQUAL SHARE IN POWER