The Udhhav Thackeray led government in Maharashtra seems to have succumbed yet again to the strains of the internal ideological contradictions in the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition.
This time around the Uddhav Thackeray government is likely to reverse the cow protection scheme in the state of Maharashtra- Govardhan Govansh Seva Kendra (GGSK).
The scheme was launched by the Sena-BJP coalition government after a beef ban came into effect. The cow protection scheme was intended to bolster infrastructure at gaushalas (cow sheds) in the state. The scheme aimed to conserve, protect and develop cattle and their progeny.
TOI has quoted Maharashtra Animal Husbandry Minister and Congress leader, Sunil Kedar as saying, “We have not reached any conclusions yet. The department has been asked to review the scheme and prepare a report on how much funds have been spent, the impact of the scheme and other details.”
What reveals the petty politics of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance that consists of Uddhav Thackeray led Sena, NCP and the Congress, sources have revealed that GGSK funds may not be released from now on as neither of the constituents of the MVA, including the Uddhav Thackeray led Shiv Sena are interested in continuing the scheme.
What is particularly shocking is that TOI has revealed that according to a minister in the state, the Uddhav Thackeray government is reluctant to persist with the scheme because most of the gaushala functionaries are linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
The fact that Shiv Sena supremo should exhibit political vindictiveness against the RSS- an ideological brother of the Shiv Sena is utterly shocking.
The Shiv Sena and the RSS share similar ideological trappings. In fact, in Nagpur, Shiv Sainiks are also Swayamsevaks, but now the Uddhav Thackeray led Sena sees a potential danger in the RSS.
Meanwhile, Kirit Somaiya, Maharashtra BJP Vice President has taken a dig at the Shiv Sena over this unconscionable decision. He has tweeted, “Another Stay!? 1 more surrender by Shivsena. Now Gauraksha Cow Protection Scheme being scraped by Thackeray Sarkar due to pressure from Congress NCP. This scheme was implemented by BJP/Shivsena Govt. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was also known as ‘Gau Pratipalak’.”
Another Stay!? 1 more surrender by Shivsena. Now Gauraksha Cow Protection Scheme being scraped by Thackeray Sarkar due to pressure from Congress NCP. This scheme was implemented by BJP/Shivsena Govt. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was also known as 'Gau Pratipalak' @BJP4Maharashtra
— Kirit Somaiya ( Modi ka Pariwar) (@KiritSomaiya) March 2, 2020
This decision by Shiv Sena which reeks of political vindictiveness and vengeance of the worst kind, shows how the Uddhav Thackeray led Sena has misused the name and legacy of Shivaji- a legacy that the party has appropriated to itself since the days of its founder president, Balasaheb Thackeray.
Now, that he has finally come to power as the Maharashtra Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray has shown such ideological flexibility and fragility that can perplex anyone even in the erratic political context of India.