By Sushil Kutty
Things stirred in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Tuesday. Some movement forward happened. Uddhav Thackeray, who seldom ventured out of home, i.e., Matoshree or Official residence Varsha, when he was Chief Minister, and which was a major complaint against him, went to the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha, and there “chaired” a meeting of the MVA, which established the fact that the Shiv Sena President continued to be at the top of the MVA even if he hasn’t been at the top of his game for months!
Uddhav Thackeray is everybody’s politician to read or handle the way they want to. Balasaheb Thackeray’s heir is a pretty limited circle politician. There’s a standoffish kind of manner to him. He seldom gives out signals that catch the attention of more people than he would like folks to see. You could say he keeps to himself. Never garrulous, pretty much taciturn. Clams would love to have him in their sea!
So, there wasn’t hue and cry when after June this year, he and son Aditya Thackeray drove out of Varsha to a post-power life. Henceforth, it would be Matoshree all the way to another change of fortunes. Again, not surprisingly, Uddhav Thackeray kept his chin to his chest, and refused to engage in recriminations, which would not have been standard operating behaviour for somebody whose homegrown political party had been stolen by a platoon of political brigands.
Instead, the Shiv Sena President, with dwindling numbers to command, kept to himself, and self-counsel, leaving it to the top court of the land to bring some sense of order to the lay of the land in as far as the private limited party that was the Shiv Sena was concerned. In fact, if Balasaheb was around no Shinde with Fadnavis to plot, would have had the guts and gumption for such piracy! Isn’t there an anti-piracy law called the anti-defection law to fend for such eventualities?
That there is, but there are also reasonable restrictions on its operation. A total of 40 Shiv Sena legislators deserted and joined the conspiracy to upend the MVA government, and of them only a handful have been rewarded with a ministry and a portfolio; the rest of them must have been given other spoils of the bitter war to get hold of the wheels of power. Eknath Shinde, once upon a time autorickshaw driver, shouldn’t have been entertained beyond a point. Mistake!
Now, the only response left is “if only”. If only there was a cool breeze blowing and there was no sweat broken? The Shiv Sena of Uddhav Thackeray’s only reason to exist now is to make the Shiv Sena whole without breaking sweat. The planning must be impeccable, and nothing should be left to chance. The good thing is, the MVA is patient as a pyramid, and the mummies are lying low. The alliance partners, however, wouldn’t mind the incarcerated former ministers of the MVA dispensation walking free.
It’s been ages since Deshmukh and Nawab, now also Sanjay Raut, saw the good light of the day. But there’s always hope. Uddhav Thackeray yesterday energised the rank and file of the MVA by stating emphatically that the MVA wasn’t breaking, neither exploding nor imploding! The setback will correct and resolve itself. Aditya Thackeray had a week ago disclosed that a number of the Shinde Sena MLAs were “in touch” to do a Shinde on the Shinde Sena!
Yes, more than one can play the game. Even otherwise, the common Shiv Sainiks are chapping at the bits. News trickling out of Matoshree say that UT’s presence at the MVA meeting at the assembly prescinct is the talk of the Shiv Sena, as also that of the Shinde Sena. For many Shinde Sena MLAs, who have been left holding the short straws post the ministry formation, it’s stifling and suffocating to remain out of their depths, they want a return to familiar shores.
The MVA meeting discussed a number of issues including fighting the next assembly and next Lok Sabha elections under the MVA banner. However, the same wouldn’t be applied for the upcoming municipal elections. An MVA victory in the civic body elections will dramatically alter the fortunes of all parties involved. A Shinde-BJP win will spell disaster for the MVA. But Uddhav Thackeray’s body language was reassuring and for that the spine surgeon should get the kudos.
Uddhav Thackeray’s close confidante Sanjay Raut was missed at the meeting. AAP’s Manish Sisodia would know what it’s to be in Raut’s shoes. And the Shiv Sena would know where it pinches. The BJP’S modus operandi to bring down opposition party governments is a familiar song. And the Modi-Shah juggernaut is a “mast” elephant needing immediate removal from the waterhole.
‘’We will fight, will not back down,’’ Uffhav Thackeray said after the meeting. One of the MVA goals is to thwart the BJP plan to win “45 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats” in 2024. Also deny BJP it’s dream of at least 200 of the 288 assembly seats. While at that, an eye has to be kept on state Congress chief Nana Patole.
Of the three MVA partners, the Congress is the weak link, while the NCP is the mainstay and fully committed. In fact, if there’s anything cooking in Maharashtra, it will be in the NCP supremo Sharad Pawar’s kitchen! The Congress would rather wait at the dining table to make a meal of whatever that’s served. (IPA Service)
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