Bal, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray: Birds of the same flock

"Raj is fighting for Thackeray's legacy"- DNA

Forty-two years ago, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray had founded the party on the sons-of-the-soil issue, which has remained high on his agenda over the years, and it is Raj’s turn now to pick up on similar lines

Yeah! Start abusing non-Marathis. Pick on Biharis and UP bhaiyyas, who do not have the money. Try picking on Gujaratis.

At 39, Raj Thackeray has already lost to Uddhav the battle to be the heir apparent to Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray. But his resolve to capture his uncle’s political legacy by reverting to the core issue of ‘Marathi manoos’ and sons of the soil remains strong.

What if other states persecuting Marathis?

The posturing of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) against North Indian migrants is the first step in that direction. But the moot question is, to what extent will Raj succeed in stoking the fire of ‘Marathi asmita’. Will it alter the political dimensions of the state in the assembly election scheduled to be held next year?

Might appeal to the unemployed.

Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray wonders how anybody can question his party’s commitment to the ‘Marathi manoos’.

Is he feeling insecure inside?

Forty-two years ago, Bal Thackeray had founded the party on this issue, which has remained high on his agenda. But Uddhav, instead of involving himself in futile debates, has decided to focus his energies on crucial issues confronting the masses.

Sensible guy. Or a shrewder politician.

According to party spokesman Sanjay Raut, MP, “Our identity is well known. Every Marathi-speaking individual in Mumbai, Delhi, or the US sympathises with the Sena on the issue. Nobody can divest them of their identity.”

Why are these guys harping on the same point? Insecurity?

A senior political observer said, “Raj has succeeded in striking a chord with the sons of the soil. But he is not equipped with the mechanism to translate it into electoral benefit. His efforts to polarise Marathis versus North Indians will benefit the Sena, which enjoys Bal Thackeray’s blessings.”

My God! What machiavellian politics! Gandhi must be turning in his grave.

A senior leader of the MNS admitted as much. “We are experimenting to get the right issue to keep intact our rank and file ahead of the 2009 elections,” he said on condition of anonymity. “It is also a battle to assert our identity in Mumbai.”

It is all lousy Indian politics. It is a wonder the country hasn't broken up now.

BJP’s Vinod Tawde said, “The public is wise enough to make a distinction between one’s commitment to an issue and individuals’ strategic decision to politicise an issue. In the country’s economic capital, politics of violence will do more damage than good to a political party.”

Who cares? Not Raj, nor Bal, nor Uddhav.


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