Mumbai
Confusion among ranks as party uncertain which way to turn
Updated : Oct 23, 2014, 02:55 PM IST
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar's unexpected move of offering unconditional support to the BJP has put the Shiv Sena in a bind. Now it is bereft of options,has lost any bargaining power it had and has been painted into a corner, unable to manoeuver this way or that. The situation is tailor-made for the BJP which is now well placed to move in for the kill. Even if the Sena is finally part of the ministry, the BJP can dictate terms and in various ways show who is actually the big brother. The Sena is also desperate to be in power having last been in government in1999. Now it has come precariously close to power after a long wait but then the BJP has the option of keeping the party on stand by.
At this point what options does the Shiv Sena have?
Presently, Sena's leadership is quite confused and does not know how to handle and react to this critical political situation it finds itself in. Many in the party feel that Uddhav unlike his father Balsaheb Thackeray does not have the insight and daring to take dramatic decisions. The only option it has is to accept all the terms that the BJP may put before it. The Sena demand for half the portfolios in the government is not going to be granted.
Are Sena legislators getting desperate?
Yes. According to a Sena legislator form Mumbai's suburb, BJP is reluctant to take the party in government but if at all it does it will set forth terms and conditions. "It is nothing but diminishing our stature.Sena is no longer in a commanding position. We desperately want power to retain our base and increase our strength. We have been out of power for 15 years and another five years means losing the hold over party and its cadres. And, our leadership is not also prepared to handle this critical situation. We are not also prepared to sit in the opposition for next five years," he said.
A critical time for Uddhav's leadership?
Yes. Another Sena legislator said that the leadership crisis is real. "Balasaheb used to turn around unfavourable situations. His thought process was very clear and used to send crystal clear message to his cadre as well. However, Uddhavji is very confused at the moment and the confusion has spread to the cadre also. Uddhavji's left hand does not know what his right hand is doing. As a result, we are today in a bind. And, we do not have strong second rung leadership which could have bailed out the leader from such a situation," he added.
Is the Sena's Marathi manoos plank meaningless now?
That is what it looks like.The BJP has cut through localised issues and won by pitching a nation-building agenda. Sena's Marathi manoos pride and aspirations agenda has not worked out in Mumbai-Thane belt. It has now got to reposition itself with a new agenda.
Is there a fear of large-scale defections from the party?
Yes. If Sena is again out of power many legislators may defect. BJP has already won over about 13 independents and will be on the look out for disgruntled Sena MLAs.