More than a battle among the various parties, the elections will be a clash of personalities involving the two Thackeray cousins and Narayan Rane.
MUMBAI: The countdown for the election to the BMC has begun. With the winter session of the state legislature over, and 45 days to go to polling day, the battle lines are drawn.
The civic elections are important for all parties, but it is especially important for the Shiv Sena, whose future hinges on the outcome.
More than a battle among the various parties, however, the elections will be a clash of personalities involving the two Thackeray cousins and Narayan Rane.
In the 2002 election, Uddhav Thackeray had taken on the responsibility of distributing tickets and campaigning. But he had Rane and Raj Thackeray by his side. This time the Sena executive president leads a party that is still suffering the after-effects of Rane and Raj’s desertions. The odds may not be on his side, but with the support of Sena chief Bal Thackeray, Uddhav may still be able to ensure a good run for his party on February 1.
This election is also a stern test for Raj, who left the Sena to form the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). After the recent municipal council elections, in which the MNS opened its account with 28 seats, this is Raj’s chance to prove that he can go the distance alone.
Rane, who left the Sena to join the Congress, has already proved himself in eight by-elections to the legislative assembly. The Sena was able to retain just one seat, while Rane’s supporters swept the other seven.
Rane is now ready to enter the BMC fray, but Congress Mumbai unit chief Gurudas Kamat is keeping a tight grip on the party. Rane will have to keep the men who left the Sena with him satisfied. Clearly, he is not going to have an easy time doing so.
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