To counter Uddhav Thackeray factor, BJP picks his estranged cousin Raj

Mumbai:

The BJP’s efforts to expand its number of Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra could push Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) out of politics Resurrection from oblivion. In a bid to blunt the challenge from the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, the BJP has reached out to his estranged cousin.

Raj Thackeray arrived in Delhi last night and met Union Home Minister Amit Shah today, apparently to discuss the possibility of his party joining the NDA. “I was told to come to Delhi. So I came. Let’s see,” the MNS chief said upon arriving in the national capital. He did not speak to the media after the meeting.

MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande said they would share details of the meeting soon. “Whatever decision is taken will be for the greater good and in the interest of Marathas, Hindutva and the party,” he said.

It is understood that the MNS wants three seats – South Mumbai, Shirdi and Nashik.

Why the BJP attracts MNS

The answer to why the BJP reached out to the MNS lies in how the political landscape of Maharashtra has changed since the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. In the last general election, the BJP and Shiv Sena contested jointly. The alliance defeated its rivals, winning 41 of the state’s 48 seats. A few months later, it triumphed again in the state polls. But differences over power-sharing led to the Senate parting ways with the NLD. The Shiv Sena, then led by Uddhav Thackeray, joined hands with the NCP and the Congress to form the government. But more drama ensued. In 2022, Sena leader Eknath Shinde led a mutiny that overthrew the Uddhav Thackeray government. Mr. Shinde later joined the BJP and took over. In the ensuing legal battle, Uddhav Thackeray lost his party’s name and logo and his camp was named Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray).

In a strikingly similar manner, the NCP led by Sharad Pawar split following a rebellion led by his nephew Ajit Pawar. The NCP veteran also lost his party’s name and logo and now leads a faction called NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar). So, from a straight contest in 2019, the Maharashtra Lok Sabha fight has now turned into a multi-pronged battle with the BJP, NCP and Shiv Sena on one side and the Congress Party and the camp led by Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray.

The BJP knows this is a tricky area and it is in no mood to take any chances in the politically significant state, which is crucial to its goal of winning 370 Lok Sabha seats. So, to deal with the Uddhav Thackeray factor, it contacted his cousin Raj.

MNS eyes big returns

The MNS was formed in 2006 when Raj Thackeray quit the Shiv Sena over differences with his cousin Uddhav, and the party came out on top in the 2009 state polls Electoral performance, winning 13 seats. However, it was a big loser in the 2014 elections, winning just one seat. Its approval ratings also remained unchanged in 2019 polls.

Over the past decade, Raj Thackeray has struggled to stay in the political spotlight by making controversial statements in the media. When the Shiv Sena split, he turned against his estranged cousin, holding him responsible for the party’s crisis. He was also close to Eknath Shinde and the two leaders met on several occasions.

If seat-sharing talks with the BJP are finalized, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh may have a chance to revive its political fortunes.