In Shiv Sena heartland, opinions split over breakup of alliance with BJP

The reactions at Shivaji Park, the Sena heartland, to the news of the split in the 25-year-old alliance was mixed. While many believe the split would do good for BJP, some called it political immaturity.

GSH, a 37-year-old classical vocalist, said party elders would not have taken such a decision. "Bal Thackeray, Pramod Mahajn and Gopinath Munde had an understanding. They took calculated decisions. The newer lot is less experienced. This split just creates more confusion for the common man," he said.

Girish, a retired government employee from Dadar, however favoured the split. "Now non-Marathi votes will go to BJP. Sena is a destructive party. By being together, the alliance would have been in a hopeless situation.

Narendra Modi is creative and BJP will definitely win in the state," he said.

Padhyi, a 72-year-old retired banker also favoured the split. "BJP will now win. Sena hasn't done anything for Mumbai. We need to resolve labour and agricultural issues and tax rich farmers. We need more investment in our state which will be possible if BJP is elected," he said.

Aarti Kulkarni, a home-maker, believes Sena will come to power. "Shiv Sena has done good work in the city. I would like to see them in power, but they wasted a lot of time in taking the decision," she said.

Atiullah, who sells handbags, said Sena win would usher in progress. "If they come to power, there will be development, but if not, there will be no loss either. It would have been better had they stayed together, however," he said.

A few also opined that with the split, Congress and NCP would take the cake.

Dilip Gandhi, editor, Konkan Sagar, a weekly newspaper, said Sen-BJP alliance was better than the ruling dispensation which was involved in many scams. "By staying together they could have solved a lot of problems—power supply, water and transport issues. Now there's a chance of Congress winning the polls," he said.

Shrenick Sanghvi, a 25-year-old financial analyst, said with the split, voters were in a dilemma. "In Lok Sabha polls, BJP was the clear winner, but in Maharashtra, BJP can win only with help of allies. With the split, seats might go to MNS, Congress and NCP," he said.