Political flirtations trendy but often prove fatal

About six months before the 2009 parliament elections, a section within the state Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) had suggested to its central leadership to consider parting ways with the Shiv Sena and forge an alliance with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena as the relationship between the allies had touched a new low following Sena chief Bal Thackeray's decision to support Congress candidate Pratibha Patil in the presidential polls because of her Marathi lineage, instead of siding with senior BJP leader Bhaironsigh Shekhawat.

A senior BJP leader had recommended holding a grand rally at Shivaji Park with Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi and MNS chief Raj Thackeray sharing the dais. It was felt that giving Modi the centre stage would signal the emergence of new Hindu Hridaya Samrat, a title which for long has been associated with the Sena supremo, while the MNS would largely replace Sena's Marathi vote bank. However, senior BJP leaders, especially LK Advani, dismissed the adventure and directed the state leaders to mend fences with it 24-year-old ally.

Raj's call stumps all
Last week, Raj's visit to BJP headquarters at Nariman Point, albeit for a cup of tea, left many wondering if this is the beginning of a realignment of political forces in the state ahead of the 2012 municipal corporation elections. It is no secret that these polls are going to be a do-or-die battle for the Sena. Not surprisingly then, the visit evoked sharp reaction from the party.

If insiders are to be believed, BJP state unit president Sudhir Mungantiwar and leader of the opposition Eknath Khadse were flooded with calls from the rank and file expressing support for the BJP-MNS alliance. But deputy leader in parliament Gopinath Munde played the spoilsport by persuading the top leadership against taking such a step. The threat from the Sena to boycott the NDA rally also worked to his advantage as Advani called Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray to soothe his hurt feelings.
According to BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde, "It was an informal chat over a cup of tea. There is no reason why it should be construed as the beginning of a new relationship between the BJP and MNS."

Old cups, new tea
Political flirtations are not a new phenomenon in Maharashtra politics. The trend of political parties embracing their enemy to strike better a bargain with the friendly partner has been a tried-and-tested formula over the last 10 years. However, what is catching up is the politics of individuals shaking hands to keep the parent organisation on the tenterhooks. Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar has conveniently used his friendship with Bal Thackeray to keep the Congress leadership (both in the Centre and state) wondering about the alliance's future. At times, Pawar's meeting with Thackeray and his son Uddhav has ended up confusing the saffron rank and file, thus denting Sena's electoral prospects -- the most damaging being the so-called secret meeting between Pawar and Uddhav at Union civil aviation minister Praful Patel's residence in Delhi ahead of the 2009 parliament elections.

Affairs can hurt
The big question one therefore needs to ask is how these political extramarital affairs usually end. A former chief minister admits, "Had it not been for MNS' support, the Congress wouldn't have been able to sweep Mumbai in the parliament elections." The Congress-NCP now hope to milk the same divide-and-rule theory to enhance its electoral prospects in the civic elections. He added, "Unfortunately, just like in real life, the political flirtations often prove disastrous."

Sena MP Sanjay Raut maintains, "Nobody should take the people for granted. By now, they know the true colours of every political party and its leaders. People are aware of Sena's commitment to the cause of Marathi and Maharashtra."

The recent flirting is being debated as a mistake in the BJP, too. As the political managers in the BJP argue, "Raj got the mileage. But what have we gained? To the contrary, the message that has gone out is that the BJP is forever lying at the feet of Matoshree (Bal Thackeray's residence) to keep the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) intact." Some in the BJP also describe the developments a result of the old rivalry between BJP president Nitin Gadkari and senior party leader Gopinath Munde. Those close to the Gadkari camp say that by hosting Raj over tea, the BJP succeeded in sending a strong message to the Sena to not take them for granted and also exposed its vulnerability. The Munde camp, however, argues, "At a time when the BJP has emerged stronger by taking on the Congress at the Centre, what was the logic in indulging in petty pinpricks against the Sena? What is important is NDA unity, of which Sena is a crucial part."

Another argument is that the BJP cannot ever be comfortable with Raj whose tirade is against north Indians, while it has always bonded with the Sena, which has since long made Hindutva a common goal.