Why Thackeray Sena Is Seeking Truce With BJP
Is the faction of Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray seeking a truce with the BJP? Maharashtra’s political corridors are abuzz with discussions that the two parties could end their hostilities. The basis of such a talk is the editorial published in Saamana newspaper wherein the party has urged Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to end the bitterness. This sudden softened approach towards the BJP is shocking.
The editorials of Saamana were drafted by the executive editor and party’s leader, Sanjay Raut. It is a mystery now on who writes the editorial after Raut has been jailed a few months back. Nevertheless, anything printed in the editorial column of Saamana is considered Uddhav’s view since he is the editor-in-chief of the newspaper. The editorial of Saamana came in the backdrop of Devendra Fadnavis’ Diwali get-together with journalists recently.
In an off-the-camera chat, Fadnavis said that Maharashtra politics is overwhelmed with bitterness and he wants it to end. However, when a journalist asked him whether the two (BJP and Shiv Sena) could come together again, he replied-“As there is so much bitterness, I see nothing like this happening any soon. Whatever has happened has pained the heart.” This unofficial interaction was published by a few newspapers.
Responding to Fadnavis, the Friday editorial of Saamana read–“Not only bitterness but a venom of vendetta is flowing in the politics of Maharashtra. We agree with Fadnavis that the tradition of unity in Maharashtra must continue. Napoleon and Alexander weren’t there forever. Rama & Krishna too came and went away. Then who are we? Fadnavis, if this has come to your heart, then take up the responsibility of ending the bitterness. Get to the work.”
Interestingly, the acrimony between the Shiv Sena and the BJP came to the fore in the last Diwali get-together organised by Devendra Fadnavis in 2019. He was the CM then and had invited journalists to his official residence Varsha for lunch. Vidhan Sabha's election results had just been announced, and there was a deadlock over the formation of the new government. Uddhav Thackeray had claimed that the BJP president Amit Shah had promised him that the chair of the CM would be shared with the Shiv Sena for half of the tenure. However, while interacting off the camera with journalists, Fadnavis refuted this claim, indicating that Uddhav was lying. The news was immediately flashed by TV channels. The circumstances that emerged led to an enraged Uddhav breaking the alliance with the BJP and forming the government with the NCP and the Congress. Uddhav and Fadnavis never met eye to eye after that and even avoided sharing a common stage.
So what compelled Uddhav Thackeray to seek a truce with the BJP? The political observers believe that the rebellion in his party last June has hit him hard. Uddhav was not only dethroned from the post of the CM but also many of his MLAs, MPs, corporators and office-bearers deserted him and joined the Eknath Shinde faction. It is an open secret that the BJP was behind Shinde’s rebellion. Hence, to pre-empt further damage and restore the party, Thackeray might have a truce in his mind.
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