Shiv Sena leader quits party after 21 years, writes heart rending note. More ideologically driven leaders may follow

Yesterday, the state of Maharashtra witnessed an ugly twist in its political discourse, after the Shiv Sena entered an alliance with its longtime rivals- the NCP and the Congress. This implies that the party which was formed on the basis of the ideology of Hindutva and which was supposed to uphold and promote this ideology at the state and national level has given up the cause out of megalomania.

However, a rather heartening and positive development, a Shiv Sena leader who was associated with the party for last 21 years has resigned from Shiv Sena. He took to Twitter to announce his resignation, and said, “My Resignation. I am resigning from my respected post in BVS/YuvaSena and @ShivSena. I thank @OfficeofUT and Adibhai @AUThackeray for giving me opportunity to work and serve the people of Mumbai, Maharashtra and  Hindustan.”

In his emotional Twitter thread following the acts of his party deserting its ideology, the former Shiv Sena leader also said, “It all started for me in the year 1992, fearless leadership and charisma of Shri BalaSaheb Thackeray. At the age of 12 I had made up my mind heart and soul to work for BalaSaheb’s ShivSena. Officially joined ShivSena in the year 1998.”

Taking a dig at the Uddhav Thackeray led party for aligning with its rivals, he tweeted, “Congratulations and all the best for forming govt in Maharashtra and having ShivSena CM  But my conscious and ideology doesnt permit me to work with Congress, I cant work half heartedly and it wont be fair to my post, my party my fellow ShivSainiks and my leaders.” In an even more telling remark expressing disillusionment with the party, Solanki said, “Since last few days people are asking my stand. Let me be very loud and clear:

”  जो मेरे श्री राम का नहीं है ( Congress ) (whoever is not for my Shri Ram)

वो मेरे किसी काम का नहीं है ” (is not of any use to me)

I once again thank Adibhai for giving me love and respect, it was wonderful experience working with you #JaiSriRam.”

His tweet really disclosed how the Shiv Sena has committed a huge betrayal of not only the people’s mandate but the ideology of Hindutva by aligning with those who are staunchly opposed to the ideology. Shiv Sena has not just disrespected the electoral mandate, but it has also insulted every single Shiv Sainik who remains loyal to his original ideology. The Shiv Sena had been one of the forerunners in the Ram Janambhoomi movement and it has now aligned with the Congress despite the dubious stance of the latter when it came to the Ram Janambhoomi movement. His comment about Lord Ram and the Congress therefore essentially captures the stark difference in the ideology of a Shiv Sainik and the Congress.

Solanki has set a very good example and has also shown how Uddhav Thackeray has put itself in a very tight spot. The party leadership might have deviated from its ideology, but party workers who remain Shiv Sainiks at heart are not going to reconcile with this sudden and unfathomable ideological shift. The manner in which the Shiv Sena gave up its ideology all of a sudden has exposed it badly. It has come out looking like a party that only used the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Shiv Sena founder, Bal Thackeray. If there are more such leaders committed to the ideology of the Shiv Sena, then the party is going to face tough times ahead, especially because the numbers in Maharashtra Assembly are such that any sense of disillusionment in its lawmakers can land the Shiv Sena in big trouble. Solanki has shown that ideology is the paramount consideration and when the party itself has lost its ideology, then there is no point in sticking to such a party. His resignation therefore might trigger en masse resignations within Shiv Sena that could end up making it politically irrelevant.