The Shiv Sena softening its stand against actor Shah Rukh Khan has raised eyebrows among political observers. They wonder if it is a result of the party being frustrated after its poor showing during Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s visit, or whether it is a tactical move to offer a hand of friendship to its arch rival, the MNS.
A day after Gandhi’s visit to the city on Friday, Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray said, “We have not taken a contract to exhibit patriotism. Why are the other parties not opposing the Australians players or Shah Rukh Khan?” Thackeray had made a similar statement two years ago before toning down opposition to Pakistani players in the Indian Premiere League (IPL).
A political observer believes that Thackeray is creating an atmosphere to woo the MNS. “Uddhav’s statement carries a masked appeal to the MNS to join the Sena in opposing Rahul Gandhi, Shah Rukh and the Australian players. MNS chief Raj Thackeray has appealed to political parties to come together on the issue of Marathi pride. We can say the process of seriously mulling coming together has started in the two parties,” he said. The Sena and the MNS are peeved with Rahul’s statement that north Indian commandos saved Mumbai on 26/11.
A MNS source said the party too is in favour of opposing both Gandhi and Khan for their statements. “We were ready to take to the streets during Rahul’s visit. All preparations had been made and we were waiting for an order by Rajsaheb. But he chose to stay away,” he said.
Observers believe that the MNS did not get involved in Gandhi’s visit because Raj wanted to show the Sena that it cannot walk the path alone over the issue.
Comments