By Dr. Gyan Pathak
The political crisis into which INDIA bloc allies in Maharashtra had fallen after humiliating defeat in the Vidhan Sabha election in the hands of NDA, seems to have deepened. Shiv Sena (UBT) made a direct political attack on NCP(SP) supremo Sharad Pawar, and NCP(SP) responded with equally sharp counterattack on Wednesday, February 12..
The occasion that triggered such attacks and counterattacks was the Mahadji Shinde Rashtra Gaurav Puraskar distribution ceremony organised on February 11 by Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in New Delhi where Sharad Pawar felicitated Shiv Sena (Shinde) supremo Eknath Shinde and praising him.
It enraged Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders, since Eknath Shinde was the leader who split the Shiv Sena and joined hands with the BJP to form government in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena (UBT) is ally of NCP (SP) against the Mahayuti led by Eknath Shinde, and hence NCP(SP) supremo Sharad Pawar’s praise for Eknath Shinde made Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders furious.
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut termed Sharad Pawar’s act as an insult to MVA alliance. In a sharp criticism he said, “Sharad Pawar did not felicitate Shinde, but he felicitated Amit Shah.”
The Union Minister of Home and BJP leader Amit Shah has been instrumental in the political strategy adopted by NDA during the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha election in which INDIA bloc allies suffered a huge loss, at a time when Shiv Sena (UBT) was contesting to prove that they were the real Shiv Sena. However, the election result proved that Shiv Sena (Shinde) had support of majority of Shiv Sainiks.
Though the NCP (SP) had also suffered in the election, and the splinter group NCP (Ajit Pawar) got the support of majority of NCP rank and file, Sharad Pawar have neither been showing too much bitterness neither towards NCP (Ajit Pawar), nor towards other political adversaries Shiv Sena (Shinde) or BJP leaders, which shows the changing political dynamics in Maharashtra.
For example, Sharad Pawar, while felicitating Eknath Shinde, said, “Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Mumbai require strong and consistent leadership to navigate their political landscape effectively. Leaders like former municipal presidents Savlaram Patil and Rangnekar played key roles and Eknath Shinde has contributed significantly as well.”
Since the occasion was a ceremony, it was natural for Sharad Pawar to utter little words of praise. However, the way Sharad Pawar praised Shinde has significant political message for both the NDA and India bloc allies. It was revealed by Shiv Sena (Shinde) group leader Naresh Mhaske who had made a courtesy visit to Sharad Pawar along with other leaders. Mhaske said that Sharad Pawar “did not even care about Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut’s words. He said that outside Maharashtra, we are all united and that politics should not be done on Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan.”
Was it a tit-for-tat message of Sharad Pawar to the Shiv Sena (UBT)? May be if we see it in the backdrop of what was said by NCP (SP) MP Amol Kolhe. He said, “When Uddhav Thackeray went to congratulate Ajit Pawar for becoming the DCM, none of our leaders expressed any sentiments in the public about it. Certain boundaries are to be observed in politics.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader congratulating Ajit Pawar who split the NCP, and Sharad Pawar praising Eknath Shinde who split Shiv Sena, are not simple actions, but are impregnated with political messages, which the MVA allies need to short out to successfully navigate away from the political crisis they have fallen into. Plunging into a deep political crisis may further harm the cause of INDIA bloc which seeks to defeat BJP, both in Maharashtra and at national level.
Shiv Sena (UBT) supremo Uddhav Thackeray has actually sent out a sharp political message to Sharad Pawar of a rethink on the relationship between the NCP(SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) through party leader Sanjay Raut.
“The political dynamics of Maharashtra has changed. One will have to rethink about who is bowling a googly to whom and who is a hit wicket. Sharad Pawar should not have attended that programme. How will we face the people of Maharashtra now? You should not have gone for the event of a person who destroyed Maharashtra, who is Maharashtra’s enemy. This has hurt the self-respect of Maharashtra, is our sentiment. You are a senior leader and I respect you. But the one who weakened Maharashtra and destroyed the Shiv Sena formed by Balasaheb Thackeray, you have honoured him. It has pained the heart of Maharashtra. Even we understand politics, respected Pawar Saaheb,” Sanjay Raut has said.
It should also be noted that Sharad Pawar had even met Ajit Pawar, who split his party. Ajit Pawar is Shard Pawar’s nephew and he clarified that they have political differences, but also emphasized unity within family. NCP(SP)’s allies Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress leaders have always suspected that Sharad Pawar may have only limited interest within INDIA bloc, that is to save his own NCP(SP) and his daughter Supriya Sule’s political future.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has once again pointed out that though Sharad Pawar met Ajit Pawar as family affair, out party always considered Ajit Pawar had broken the party and the family. It was just a signal to Sharad Pawar that he should also keep in mind that Shinde had destroyed Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sena.
Sanjay Raut also said that Sharad Pawar even wrongly praised Eknath Shinde on wrong information. He said that the development of Thane was done by Shiv Sena, under the vision of Balasaheb Thackeray. Thane’s downfall started after Enkath Shinde was elected from there.
The political dynamics within INDIA bloc in Maharashtra has been changing which may also impact the bloc at national level. BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde) have now trying to fish in the troubling water within INDIA bloc, daring Shiv Sena (UBT) to quit MVA. (IPA Service)
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