Will the two Thackeray cousins come together? This is a bigquestion before Maharashtra's political circles. Will there be a pre-pollalliance ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections? Or would therebe a post-poll alliance?
Shiv Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray recently sentout feelers to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray, but thelatter is yet to respond.
As both the cousins tour separately over the next few weeksacross the State – the excitement on this is bound to escalate.
But would there be a rapprochement?
Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray passed away on November 17,2012 aged 86 – and this has definitely changed the state's political scenariogiven his charisma and political acumen.
Uddhav, in an interview of Saamana and Dophar ka Saamana,the Marathi and Hindi mouthpiece of the party, respectively, has hinted at apossibility of an alliance – in the larger interests of Marathi people.
But, Uddhav made it clear that “one cannot clap with asingle hand” -- suggesting that Raj too would have to take a step forward.
Uddhav's statement came during an interview with SanjayRaut, the Executive Editor of Saamna, the party mouthpiece.
To a specific question by Raut, who is a Rajya Sabha memberand party spokesperson, whether “Uddhav and Raj would come together in future”,Uddhav said: “One cannot clap with a single hand...does it happen? You tellme.”
Asked to elaborate further, Uddhav said: “Why do you askthis question only to me? I am ready to reply. But for that you have to make us(me and Raj) sit together, next to each other. Then you can ask the question toboth of us. It depends on both sides, not one.”
Asked what he would do if Raj approached him with a proposal(for an alliance), Uddhav said: "If someone is going to comewholeheartedly with Sena, I will welcome them."
“More important than coming together, we have to firstanalyse why we drifted away in the first place. Why do we need to re-unite andfor what purpose? Who is your main political opponent? Who do you want todestroy politically? And what direction should be taken for achieving this?”Uddhav said.
When asked to clarify his views, Thackeray said that thelate Bal Thackeray had founded the Shiv Sena over four decades ago to fight forthe rights of the Marathis and ensure justice for the sons of the soil.
Raj, however, has refrained from commenting on the issue.
But, senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde favoured an allianceof his party and the Shiv Sena and MNS in the next Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhaelections. “In the interests of the Marathi people they (Uddhav and Raj) needto come together,” Munde, the deputy leader of BJP in Lok Sabha said. “Theyshould leave aside political differences and work on a common minimumprogramme,” he said, however, added that BJP would not take any lead forreconciliation – until and unless the Shiv Sena gives a go ahead.
Replying to a question, Uddhav had also said: “Before we (meand Raj) come together, it is essential for us analyse first as to why wedrifted away and why are we wanting to come together now? If we are to cometogether, who is going to be our main political opponent? Who is that rivalwhom we want to decimate politically? And how do we achieve this objective?”
However, RPI president Ramdas Athvale – whose party is partyis a constituent of the three-party grand alliance comprising his party, Senaand BJP – has opposed the coming together of Raj and Uddhav. “Such an alliancebetween Sena and MNS is not in the interest of the grand alliance. I am opposedto it,” Athavale said, but hinted that Raj can merge his party with ShivSena.
