Shiv Sena split on backing BJP, fears revolt if it stays out of power

MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena may be gearing up to join the BJP government, but a section in the party has strong reservations on the issue, it is said.

There are reports that Matoshree may have a tough time in pacifying a sizeable chunk which thinks the Sena should choose to soldier on on its own instead of playing second fiddle to the BJP. The feeling is strong among many grassroot-level workers — the blue-blooded Sainiks who draw sustenance from the late Balasaheb's aggressive brand of regional politics.

"The BJP has treated us shabbily. This became clear during seat-sharing talks last month. (Sena president) Uddhavji Thackeray should not go back to the BJP," said a Sainik from Kurla on Wednesday, adding, "The BJP will be good to us not because it believes in value-based politics, but because it needs our support."

A senior party activist from Vile Parle said, "The Sena will send a wrong message to grassroots-level workers if we resume ties with BJP. The manner in which they snapped the poll partnership of the last 25 years before elections was disgusting. Now, they want the Sena back as they aren't sure about the NCP's support."

Sena leader Subhash Desai has denied reports of discontent brewing in the party over reconciliation with the BJP. "There are no sections or groups in the Sena. Uddhavji takes the decision which we all accept wholeheartedly," he told mediapersons.

The Sena-BJP's second coming will underscore the growing disconnect between Matoshree and grassroot-level activists. The top-heavy party leaders are eager to join the BJP government, obviously because they are wracked by survival worries, say political observers.

However, the Sena rank and file, which the late Balasaheb Thackeray thought was the cornerstone to test his policies, would be bewildered by the party's hip-hop with the BJP, said a senior functionary.

"But Uddhav Thackeray has no other choice. He will have to join the BJP government and end the 15-year-long political exile of his party. He can buy peace in the party and reaffirm his leadership by offering ministerships to his senior colleagues. There will be a near-revolt in the Sena if the party doesn't get into power," he pointed out.

Meanwhile, Desai on Wednesday said the first round of preliminary talks with the BJP were held in New Delhi on Tuesday. "We haven't offered any proposal to the BJP. We had a preliminary exchange of views. Now, party president Uddhavji Thackeray will take the final decision," he said.

Thackeray sent Desai and Anil Desai, MP, to New Delhi on Tuesday to meet BJP leaders as it became clear that the Sena was ready to extend support to the BJP's minority government in Maharashtra.