Shivsena is among the oldest allies of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and they share a togetherness of almost 25 years. Both of these parties shared the power and opposition bench together. During last assembly election, both got separated on the unsolved knot of seat share and lack of the maturity of then state BJP leadership and contested elections on their own. But for the throne they had to get back together as the connatural allies. But the things are not same as used to be in their first symbiosis. And current SS chief Uddhav Thackeray’s constant stands against Modi govt are disturbing rightists.
Brief History of Shivsena
A brief look at Shivsena’s history is all you need to understand that this isn’t on the unexpected lines. Shivsena has always been a political opportunist. Today’s Shivsena avatar is seen as Hindu nationalist. But when we dig back the roots of Shivsena we encounter many unexpected things.
Shivsena was founded back in 1966 by late cartoonist Balasaheb Thackeray son of Keshav Thackery popularly known as Prabodhankar. A well-known socialist leader who took part in Samyukt Maharashtra movement. Sena was founded with the initial help from Congress party. Congress leader Ramrao Adik was on the stage during the inauguration. As per some congress leaders purpose of Sena was to oppose the communists. Bal Thackeray the founder of SS had close relations with then Maharashtra CM Vasantrao Naik of Congress hence people also called Shivsena a VasantSena (Army of Vasantrao Naik). SS always took pro congress stands. Shivsena even supported emergency and got two MLC’s in return from then congress government. Sena also came in open support of congress and campaigned for Barrister A. R. Antulay who later became Maharashtra CM. Shivsena even supported Murli Deora for mayor in 1977.
But being the subsidiary of congress it was not paying off Thackeray’s desires hence he started fumbling other options. He even tried to grow intimacy with the Communists by inviting Shripad Amrit Dange founder of Communist Party of India to address ShivSainiks at Dadar. But CPI was itself a drowning ship and had to change the front. He even allied with Muslim league for the mayoral elections in Mumbai.
After the unsuccessful attempts of setting up with Congress and Left, he then approached congress fugitive Sharad Pawar and swore to finish congress along with Pawar in Shivaji Park during Dussehra Meet. But that indecent alliance had to end very soon.
In search of a political agenda, he started with Marathi pride and hatred for initially south Indians and then shifted on North Indians. But it was short-lived. Then he shifted on Hindutva and this was a boon to his politics. Afterwards by intervention of late Pramod Mahajan on the point of Hindutva, Shivsena and BJP came together in 1989 after an unsuccessful attempt in 1984.
Alliance with BJP
Shivsena BJP alliance was able to provide an alternative to Sharad Pawar dominated Maharashtra politics and formed government in 1995. The saffron alliance again lost power to Sharad Pawar’s newly formed NCP and Congress. After the demise of Balasaheb Thackeray the leadership went to his son Uddhav Thackeray. But unlike Balasaheb he lacks political sagaciousness. Once Shivsena used to be the elder brother in the alliance and now Sena is more of unasked partner hence Uddhav is not able to digest this abasement.
The growing popularity of relatively younger party BJP and the charisma of Narendra Modi which is winning all Nationalist vote bank is unbearable to Shivsena.
Hindu nationalist votes are no more monopoly of Shivsena, this is bleeding wound of Uddhav Thackeray, which keeps him targeting Modi Government despite of being the part of it.
Attacks on Modi Government
1) Initially Uddhav Thackeray took a surprising stand in JNU row by blaming ABVP and BJP for framing Kanhaiya Kumar as an antinational.
2) Jr Thackeray called for rally against Maharashtra government whom they part of and called government incompetent. (One needs guts to call himself fool)
3) Joined forces with congress and NCP to pass no confidence motion against strict municipal commissioner Tukaram Munde of Navi Mumbai municipal corporation.
4) Participated in the march organised by TMC leader Mamata Banerjee to counter government over demonetization.
These are few incidents where he went against the government in which he is a partner. It’s been Uddhav Thackeray’s routine to criticize Modi over small things like Kejriwal. Looks like he is adapting the AAP’s secret strategy of criticizing Modi ji to get fame. People of Maharashtra are firmly denying this dynastic party.
Finally, Shivsena is on Self Destruction mode. Quoting a famous quote Saying for Sivsena’s today’s leadership विनाशकाले विपरीत बुद्धी.