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Although the Sena has downplayed the breakaway Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s emergence in state politics, it was worried over losing its traditional vote bank to the latter. Uddhav and MNS chief Raj Thackeray (they’re first cousins) have ruled out the possibility of a merger or an alliance. However, the Sena is perturbed over its ally of over 20 years, the Bharatiya Janata Party, making overtures to Raj to join in a bid to form a grand alliance (‘Maha Yuti’) ahead of the coming Lok Sabha polls.
The Shiv Sena had won 11 of the 22 seats it had contested during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections (there are 48 seats from Maharashtra and the BJP contested the others). It now proposes to take on the ruling Congress-National Congress Party alliance on issues of corruption, neglect of farmers and the working class, and loss of its earlier eminence in the ranking among states in attracting investment.
Interestingly, it has been silent on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's growing prospect as the BJP-led National Democatic Alliance’ss prime ministerial candidate. Like his father had done, Uddhav had showered praise on Sushma Swaraj, leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, indicating the party's preference. He is saying the decision on a PM nominee should be taken at an NDA meeting. Party insiders believe the BJP cannot neglect the Sena's view, especially after the exit of the Janata Dal (U) from the NDA.
Further, the Sena faces a challenge in growing factionalism and a perceived neglect of the old guard in the party leadership. Former leader of the opposition in the state assembly, Ramdas Kadam, had at a recent party meeting expressed serious concern over the tussle among Sena leaders.
The party's group leader in the state legislative assembly, Subhash Desai, told Business Standard: “The Shiv Sena, which started as a movement and subsequently became a political party, is going to increase its presence. The fundamentals are strong, as it has successfully overcome several ups and downs.” However, he admits the Sena faces a challenge in proper projection of issues and in tackling the rise of money power during elections.
Former minister Gajanan Kirtikar, who heads the Sthaniya Lokadhikar Samiti (the party's arm for pursuing the Marathis-first policy by firms in hiring), emphasises the need for strengthening the organisation. "Sena has its own network across Maharashtra and rest of country.
Both Desai and Kirtikar say the Sena will have to reach out appropriately to voters with the twin plank of ‘Hindutva’ and development.
