Everything is possible in love and war and if it is a political war, even the impossible becomes possible.
Everything is possible in love and war and if it is a political war, even the impossible becomes possible. Though Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray had offered an olive branch to his estranged nephew Raj Thackeray on the last day of the poll campaign saying warring cousins Uddhav and Raj should end their rivalry fearing that the MNS would emerge as king maker, the offer was put on hold as soon as the results were announced on Friday.
After Balasaheb’s appeal speculations were rife that the two estranged cousins may join hands. Report of the Mumbai police and the state intelligence department a week ahead of the civic polls was thought to be behind this appeal, which speculated that MNS would emerge as kingmaker.
But after the results, the MNS managed to double its strength in Thane and tripled in Mumbai, Pune and Nashik but it failed to be a kingmaker with shortfall of few seats. On the other hand, Uddhav-led Shiv Sena succeeded in bagging (77) seats in Mumbai and (52) in Thane. The Sena-BJP-RPI combine will retain the power of the two corporations with the help few Independents and now they don’t want the backing of the MNS.
Now, the million dollar question is: Will Balasaheb’s doors remain open for Raj now? Political analyst Uday Nirgudkar said, “The MNS was expected to hold the key of power but the saffron combine managed it alone. But it is obvious that Mumbaikars want both the cousins to come together as the Thackeray family won (106 seats) altogether in Mumbai.”
Despite such a ‘mandate’, union of Uddhav and Raj seems impossible as both have gone very far. They have their own style of working. Surendra Jondhale, professor of civics at University of Mumbai, dismissed the pact. “Raj’s ideology is very clear, which has expanded MNS base considerably. Then why he will surrender to emotional appeal of his uncle, which was only an open appeal?”
But, surprisingly, the MNS is waiting for Big Thackeray’s official offer. Spokesperson Harshal Deshpande said, “We are yet to decide our stand. Moreover, Balasaheb made a verbal appeal that too said in poll campaign. No formal offer has reached us.”
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