As Uddhav Thackeray welcomes Narendra Modi's PM candidature, Shiv Sainiks not so sure

“The churning of the ocean has thrown up amrit (divine nectar)”. Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray’s adulatory welcome to Gujarat CM Narendra Modi, who was anointed BJP’s prime ministerial nominee, may be music to BJP’s ears.
But the words don’t reflect the unease in the Sena brass over Modi being projected as NDA’s choice for the top  job.

Sena mouthpiece Saamna, of which Uddhav is editor, has taken periodic jibes at Modi, questioning his Hindutva credentials and pointing to his “superb publicity machinery”.

Reasons for uneasiness in the Sena — which has so far made BJP play second fiddle in Maharashtra and will not like the tables being turned — are not too hard to find. Modi, who is seen as a strong personality who neither forgives nor forgets, attempted to appropriate the aggressive Hindutva space that Sena is known for post-2002 riots. He is close to Uddhav’s estranged cousin and MNS chief Raj Thackeray and is said to be distant from the Sena leadership. Sena leaders say prospective NDA allies may be put off by Modi’s image.

“Today, BJP leaders may be muted in their opposition to Modi, but in case the party suffers setbacks in the assembly polls due this year, the knives will be out,” predicted a senior Shiv Sena leader, admitting that the focus will now shift from the performance of the Congress-led government to Modi’s polarising personality.

Sena leaders admit that Modi’s appointment could lead to minority polarisation in favour of the Congress.

“The Congress wants a personality-based election and not an issue-based one,” said a Shiv Sena cadre. “There is uneasiness in the party, how can (a monolith like the Sena) tolerate another strong leader?” He added that Modi was seen as being more aggressive and overbearing than Uddhav.

Sena sources said Uddhav’s  telephonic chat with Modi on Thursday and with BJP chief Rajnath Singh on Friday may have reduced some unease.

The ‘lacklustre’ side
A Sena worker said that while the urban middle-class and youth are attracted to Modi, his potential in Maharashtra’s rural masses was untested. Earlier, late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray had snubbed Modi, declaring his support for leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj.