The reaction in Sangh Parivar on BJP and Sena snapping ties is mixed. While some feel BJP will now be able to come out of Sena's shadow and spread wings in Maharashtra, others feel the move would weaken political Hindutva due division in Hindu votes.
Sena has a broader socio-political base and has never shied from asserting itself. The two were, however, seen as natural allies due to their common agenda of Hindutva. But Sena's presence was also seen as a natural hindrance to BJP's growth.
RSS, the ideological fountainhead of Sangh Parivar, was founded by a Maharashtrian, Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, at Nagpur in 1925. And Sarsanghachalaks have mostly been Maharashtrians, who include LV Paranjape, Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, Balasaheb Deoras and incumbent Mohan Bhagwat.
"This alliance was forged around Hindutva and the tie-up exhibited the strength of political Hindutva. Snapping of ties does not portend well," said a RSS/VHP veteran, who added that battle of egos had led to "sacrificing the strength of Hindutva."
"Swayamsewaks are also individuals, voters and citizens. Though many of them support BJP, they are free to vote for anyone," he said, adding that Sangh Parivar cadre could also support Sena candidates in seats where BJP was weak or not in fray.
Some RSS cadre feel the decision to break the alliance will help BJP gauge its strength. "As a swayamsewak, I feel it's high time BJP came out of Sena's shadow," said a RSS activist, adding that then the party would not be subject to "the whims and fancies" of its ally.
"At the most, we will be the runners up, but that will be on our own strength. We will also not be compelled to play second fiddle to Sena," said the RSS activist, stating that a "strong, assertive leadership" in the form of prime minister Modi and party president Amit Shah would help them hold their own in the state.
If BJP comes to power, it will also be able to push its agenda on issues like a separate Vidarbha. "Though we were together on Hindutva, Sena and MNS harping on the issue of Marathi had led to North Indians shifting to Congress," said a senior BJP leader from Mumbai, who has his roots in RSS, adding the emergence of Modi had helped solidify non-Maharashtrians behind BJP.
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