Shiv Sena 'uses' fafda and jalebi to woo Gujaratis

Uddhav Thackeray

The Shiv Sena seems to believe that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. No wonder then that the party has based its programme to reach out to Gujaratis through the community's favourite food items - jalebi and fafda - ahead of the civic elections.

The tagline 'Mumbai ma jalebi ne fafda, Uddhav Thackeray aapda' has been chosen for the Sena's meeting with Gujarati people on January 10. The venue will be Navnit hall, Gujarati Bhavan, Jogeshwari West.

Conventionally, the community is considered BJP loyalist, but the Sena's 'Mission Gujarati' in-charge Hemraj Shah dismissed it as a flawed impression. He said the community was aware of the Thackeray family's contribution to their welfare and safety, and the young Gujaratis needed to be told about it.

"The late Balasaheb Thackeray saved us during the riots. We can't forget him. Some say the BJP is a Gujaratis' party, but the Sena also has members from the community. We were given 14 assembly tickets. We also have corporators," he said.

BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said it was good that the Sena has remembered Gujaratis at least ahead of the elections.

Fighting separately from Sena in 2017, the BJP had benefitted most in the Gujarati-dominated areas. The north Indian community also helped the party a great deal taking the BJP's number to 82, only two short of Sena's strength.