The BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in Maharashtra hangs by a thin thread of hope. Uddhav Thackeray is of the firm belief that it’s time BJP endorses their pre-poll promise of power-sharing. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is not enthused and point-blank rejected such a promise. To add to the drama, an MP claims that 45 Sena MLAs are ready to join the BJP. Waiting on the sidelines are morally-elated Congress and NCP. The situation in Maharashtra is slowly drifting out of control.
The Sena may be emboldened to raise its pitch after BJP lost 17 seats in comparison to its 2014 tally. But this doesn’t give enough fuel for Thackeray to drive home such a high-stakes bargain because Sena’s tally also plummeted to 56 seats from 63 in 2014. It now goes down to the wire in ‘your word against mine’ kind of a finale to the Maharashtra power tale.
The BJP leadership will have to deal with this crisis cautiously. The video clip released by the Sena on Fadnavis’ promise of “equal formula for sharing of power” will have repercussions on future pre-poll alliances involving the BJP. Uddhav Thackeray’s cancellation of a meeting with the BJP on the formation of new government indicates that relations between the two partners may strain further. Broad hints have been thrown of Sena MLAs waiting to break ranks, possibly on the lines of the Congress in Goa. The pressure is palpable.
The Shiv Sena has probably seized this moment to make a turnaround and have been taking potshots at the BJP mindful of the fact that there is a deadlock. In a recent comment in its mouthpiece Saamana, Sena made a tongue-in-cheek comment over the “silence” in markets on Diwali. “Itna sannata kyon hai bhai” (why is there so much silence, brother?) questioned Sena, borrowing a line from Bollywood flick Sholay. On Tuesday, Fadnavis called a press-conference denying any power-sharing formula for the CM’s post. Fadnavis was categorical in stating that he will be the CM for the full term of five years while denying that there was any promise of ‘sharing’.
The BJP-Sena marriage has always been one of political convenience. The fact remains that the saffron brigade was never comfortable with the ‘activism’ shown by the Sena besides their refusal to endorse the leadership of Narendra Modi. On the flip side, BJP has come a long way and have significantly eaten into a once-strong Sena bastion. At this junction, the BJP is not in a position to hand over the reins of the State to Sena even for a short time. Moreover, the BJP knows that the Sena’s options are restricted to the BJP and the party will not go to the NCP-Congress combine even if there are high chances of taking pole positions.
All said and done, it is for the BJP leadership of Amit Shah to step in and troubleshoot before the issue flares up beyond control. The Sena appears to be defiant and it is to be seen how best they are accommodated in the new dispensation.
