Forty-two years ago, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray had founded the party on the sons-of-the-soil issue, which has remained high on his agenda over the years.
Forty-two years ago, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray had founded the party on the sons-of-the-soil issue, which has remained high on his agenda over the years, and it is Raj’s turn now to pick up on similar lines
At 39, Raj Thackeray has already lost to Uddhav the battle to be the heir apparent to Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray. But his resolve to capture his uncle’s political legacy by reverting to the core issue of ‘Marathi manoos’ and sons of the soil remains strong.
The posturing of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) against North Indian migrants is the first step in that direction. But the moot question is, to what extent will Raj succeed in stoking the fire of ‘Marathi asmita’. Will it alter the political dimensions of the state in the assembly election scheduled to be held next year?
Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray wonders how anybody can question his party’s commitment to the ‘Marathi manoos’.
Forty-two years ago, Bal Thackeray had founded the party on this issue, which has remained high on his agenda. But Uddhav, instead of involving himself in futile debates, has decided to focus his energies on crucial issues confronting the masses.
According to party spokesman Sanjay Raut, MP, “Our identity is well known. Every Marathi-speaking individual in Mumbai, Delhi, or the US sympathises with the Sena on the issue. Nobody can divest them of their identity.”
Raut, who is executive editor of the paper newspaper Saamna, said, “Metros like Mumbai and Delhi will always have people from different states. Uddhavji himself urged the Hindi speakers to integrate with Mumbai and celebrate Maharashtra Day. It does not mean we have abandoned our commitment to the sons of the soil.”
A senior political observer said, “Raj has succeeded in striking a chord with the sons of the soil. But he is not equipped with the mechanism to translate it into electoral benefit. His efforts to polarise Marathis versus North Indians will benefit the Sena, which enjoys Bal Thackeray’s blessings.”
A senior leader of the MNS admitted as much. “We are experimenting to get the right issue to keep intact our rank and file ahead of the 2009 elections,” he said on condition of anonymity. “It is also a battle to assert our identity in Mumbai.”
The decision of the MNS to take to the streets against the Samajwadi Party and North Indians coincided with the clarion call given by Uddhav to Sainiks a week ago to display their steel.
BJP’s Vinod Tawde said, “The public is wise enough to make a distinction between one’s commitment to an issue and individuals’ strategic decision to politicise an issue. In the country’s economic capital, politics of violence will do more damage than good to a political party.”
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=spacer}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}