Mumbai politics heats up with talks of an official or tacit pact between the MNS and BJP, which seems to be reworking on its organisation
MNS President Raj Thackeray and state BJP chief Chandrakant Patil met recently
There is a spurt in activity in the state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) camp because its senior leaders are in New Delhi meeting the party high command and ministers, separately or in groups. Speculations are rife, as usual, over the party gaining momentum to pull down the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government with a new deadline of August-September, and over the changes to be made to the state organisation, a speculation that seems fairly reasonable.
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Opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis has denied the party making any such move, notwithstanding the names of wannabes making the rounds ahead of the next year’s mini-Assembly polls, that, to large extent decide the acceptance of the ruling parties because these elections are held two years after the government comes to power. Fadnavis said incumbent state chief Chandrakant Patil was doing an excellent job.
In the past elections, the BJP had toppled its predecessors, the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) for the top slot, and the Shiv Sena too did better in many places. This time, the BJP would be up against the three parties in the state government that may not necessarily fight together in every place they contest.
Mumbai is one such place, where the BJP has surpassed the Shiv Sena in the Assembly, and come a very close second to its prime opponent in the civic polls. Now relegated to the opposition benches, it wants to do better than 2017 to unseat the Sena from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which has been its engine. What does the BJP have on its mind, apart from encouraging Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray to play spoilsport as he has done in the past? Get him in the alliance officially or provide him tacit help to split the Sena votes?
The recent meetings between Thackeray and state BJP chief Patil came out with two things. BJP wants Raj to drop the anti-north Indian image and intensify the Hindutva agenda with much vigour and public outreach. It’s strategic, perhaps, because if Raj manages to change the perception, even slightly, the north Indian population which accounts for a huge chunk of the vote bank in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, is likely to forgive him for the love of Hindutva.
In addition, there is a perception that the Sena may get a short shrift from the saffron lovers because of its new found love for the Centre-left politics. Patil has quoted Raj as telling him that he does not hate migrants and he shall be sharpening his Hindutva plank in coming months. Wouldn’t voters want it to come from the horse’s mouth and acted upon in letter and spirit? They will be watching Raj.
Yet another ‘sonrise’
The state’s first family, the Thackerays of Kalanagar, celebrated the birthday of the CM’s younger son Tejas, a day after his uncle Raj hogged the headlines. There were insertions in the newspapers and social media, but what hit the brains was a front page advertisement that Sena’s general secretary and Uddhav Thackeray’s long-time personal assistant, Milind Narvekar, put up in the party mouthpiece. It compared Tejas with legendary batsman Sir Vivian Richards, who is known for his swashbuckling performances and inimitable swag. In addition, Narvekar posted a tweet that loosely described the 26-year-old’s instant decision-making ability and straightforwardness. People say Narvekar knows the Thackeray boys, Aaditya and Tejas, much better than any other Matoshree insider. Little wonder then, his birthday wishes were linked with a proposal to formally launch Tejas in politics by making him the party’s youth wing’s chief ahead of the forthcoming mini-Assembly polls in Maharashtra. Tejas has kept himself away from the media glare, unless it is for discovering a new species of wildlife - the first love he has so far dedicated himself to.
Taarikh pe taarikh
Hassled office goers are increasingly raising voices against the government for not allowing them to board suburban trains. Restaurateurs are up in arms against capping their working hours. The list goes on and on.
Whenever stakeholders meet the government they are promised relaxations in a couple of days, but that day doesn’t dawn. The high court wanted the state to allow, at least fully vaccinated on the trains, while raising a question over the overcrowded city buses. We hear that some decisions will be taken later this week.
Meanwhile, read on a request, the parody of a Bollywood song, our friend shared with us to convey to the decision makers: “you gave me some wine, now give me some trains, give me another chance, I wanna grow up once again”
Dharmendra Jore is political editor, mid-day. He tweets @dharmendrajore
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