The kind of downfall that Uddhav Thackeray’s grace recently took will be remembered in a different light in Indian politics. Who would have guessed that Uddhav would be abandoned by his own soldiers in the name of his father Balasaheb Thackeray? How can a chief minister be so foolish that his own chieftains pulled the rug from under him and he was not ready?
Personal loyalty is not the only consideration in this political saga. Shiv Sainiks who grew up under the shadow of Balasaheb Thackeray were not able to compromise with the new situation. He trembled the way two ministers were detained by the ED and several MLAs and ministers were being probed by the central authorities for their wrongdoings. Had Uddhav wanted, he could have brought back his former allies, who were much like Mamata Banerjee. He was unable to take action, probably because of the wrongdoings of some of his colleagues, his poor health and his submissive nature. In addition, Shiv Sainiks protested Sharad Pawar’s wielding influence over the government. He believed that the compromising attitude was eating into his fiery political outlook for which he had always been known.
Eknath Shinde and every rebel who supported him believed that his future was bleak because of two factors: first, Uddhav’s ineffective leadership and political style, and second, the dynasty. In 2019, Shinde even thought of running for chief minister. In 1995, when Shiv Sena was given the opportunity to form the government for the first time, Balasaheb Thackeray had made up his mind not to take the post of Chief Minister. While maintaining his position as the undisputed supremo of the party, he sent Manohar Joshi to do the same. this duty. After Joshi, Narayan Rane got this opportunity. Eknath Shinde was thinking of himself as the next episode of this series.
The Shiv Sena is believed to have made a fundamental “change” when Uddhav Thackeray himself decided to run for chief minister. Then, some viewers claimed that Uddhav made a mistake. How can a political autocracy like Balasaheb be completely dependent on NCP and Congress? When the Bharatiya Janata Party started pushing him after the 2014 elections, a whisper was heard that Uddhav did not have the guts to take on the BJP. He was also advised to walk alone in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, but the “Matoshree” troupe refrained from taking such a bold election. He also contested the subsequent assembly elections with the BJP. The results were unexpected. BJP got 105 and got only 56 seats.
It was clear that Shiv Sena was no longer playing the role of “Bhau”. When Uddhav Thackeray left the alliance with the BJP, he could have avoided this situation if he had appointed Shinde or another Shiv Sainik as the chief minister at that time. Instead, being under the supervision of Sharad Pawar, he would have been in charge. In politics, even small mistakes carry a lot of weight, but Uddhav did it again and again. Now, his position, party and reputation are all under heavy threat.
The furious Shiv Sena is now threatening to fight in the street, on the floor of the house and in the court. Its vocal leader Sanjay Raut has threatened the MLAs that they will have to come back to Mumbai anyway. The city has always been a stronghold of Shiv Sena and it is believed that whatever the fellow leaders do, the workers are with Matoshree. Are Eknath Shinde and his associates not ready for this struggle? Shiv Sainiks have reacted angrily to his announcement of forming a new party in the name of Balasaheb. Several offices of MLAs and ministers have also been vandalized in Maharashtra. Uddhav also emphasized that no one can use his father’s name.
Obviously, some chapters of the story of Maharashtra politics are yet to be written. The parties doing dynasty politics in this country have been facing difficulties for a long time. Shinde and his associates may have made it troubling that Uddhav stole Balasaheb’s legacy and Aditya will be next in line. So what’s in it for? Are family-run parties on their way?
We will have to wait till the assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh to find out. There used to be a direct contest between BJP and Congress, but this time the Aam Aadmi Party is ready to change the equation. The way the sweep of this party has dealt a blow to the Congress and the Akali Dal in Punjab, many people are considering Arvind Kejriwal again.
If Kejriwal wins a few seats, his ambition to become a national figure will begin to take shape. Sooner or later the crisis in Maharashtra will reach its logical conclusion. But another question has cropped up in political circles: Is Jharkhand next? This debate has gained a lot of momentum after the candidature of Draupadi Murmu for the post of President.
Shashi Shekhar is the editor-in-chief of Hindustan. Thoughts are personal.