BJP ignores Thackeray's swipe at Modi
Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray’s swipe at Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi has not gone down well with the state BJP. Mr Thackeray’s statement that only the Shiv Sena ruled the roost in Maharashtra is being interpreted by the BJP as a demon...
By TNN |
MUMBAI: Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray’s swipe at Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi has not gone down well with the state BJP. Mr Thackeray’s statement that only the Shiv Sena ruled the roost in Maharashtra is being interpreted by the BJP as a demonstration of overconfidence.
Officially though, state BJP leaders have tried to take Mr Thackeray’s remarks in their stride. BJP national general secretary Gopinath Munde has denied any ill feeling between the saffron partners. But behind the facade of “all is well between us”, there is a deep sense of resentment in the BJP over Sena’s arbitrary conduct, BJP functionaries said.
“The Sena has demonstrated its usual arrogance. But the fact is that it can’t win power on its own and needs to ally with the BJP. In fact, no single party can dream of winning power on its own (in Maharashtra) in a normal election,” a BJP functionary told ET.
He said there were fundamental differences between the political composition of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. “If the Sena believes that a better chunk of electorate in Maharashtra would vote for it, just as Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat have overwhelmingly voted for Mayawati and Narendra Modi, respectively, then it has failed to read the socio-political dynamics of Maharashtra.
Days of single party rule in Maharashtra are passé, and coalition is here to stay,” the BJP leader said.
BJP sources emphasised that the Congress, though not as dominant a force as it used to be, still retains a lot of clout. The NCP, thanks to its Congress origins and the mass appeal of Sharad Pawar, also holds sway in several parts of the state. “Every party, including the Sena, has its own strongholds. But the aggregate electoral mandate in Maharashtra will reflect an electorate divided between four major parties,” explained a BJP strategist.
Officially though, state BJP leaders have tried to take Mr Thackeray’s remarks in their stride. BJP national general secretary Gopinath Munde has denied any ill feeling between the saffron partners. But behind the facade of “all is well between us”, there is a deep sense of resentment in the BJP over Sena’s arbitrary conduct, BJP functionaries said.
“The Sena has demonstrated its usual arrogance. But the fact is that it can’t win power on its own and needs to ally with the BJP. In fact, no single party can dream of winning power on its own (in Maharashtra) in a normal election,” a BJP functionary told ET.
He said there were fundamental differences between the political composition of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. “If the Sena believes that a better chunk of electorate in Maharashtra would vote for it, just as Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat have overwhelmingly voted for Mayawati and Narendra Modi, respectively, then it has failed to read the socio-political dynamics of Maharashtra.
Days of single party rule in Maharashtra are passé, and coalition is here to stay,” the BJP leader said.
BJP sources emphasised that the Congress, though not as dominant a force as it used to be, still retains a lot of clout. The NCP, thanks to its Congress origins and the mass appeal of Sharad Pawar, also holds sway in several parts of the state. “Every party, including the Sena, has its own strongholds. But the aggregate electoral mandate in Maharashtra will reflect an electorate divided between four major parties,” explained a BJP strategist.
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BJP sources said the Sena may also not be liking Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi’s emergence as the new Hindutva icon. “Balasaheb is the undisputed Hindutva icon in Maharashtra. Beyond Maharashtra, he has a limited appeal unlike Mr Modi. We have every right to use our star campaigners to woo voters,” a BJP functionary said.Download
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