Shiv Sena: An ally on papers and opposition in reality

How shall Shiv Sena be termed in the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Narendra Modi government – an Ally or an Opposition? Considering the fact that the regional party has been part of the National Democratic Alliance since previous Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, the Maratha tigers had been on an opposition mode.

With the recent editorial in Saamna, calling Nirmala Sitharaman a ‘weak’ the Union Defence Minister, Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray aimed at the 56-inches chest bearing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Questioning the silence of the Sitharaman in the latest abduction and later killing of 44 National Rifles battalion Rifle Man of the Indian Army, Aurangzeb, by the terrorists and continuous ceasefire violations by Pakistan in the valley, Thackeray was of the opinion that the NDA-II government is not learning from its mistakes.

Though Sena has been known for their stance on Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan and terrorism since 1990’s, it has changed its look from a ‘attacking’ tiger to a ‘thinking’ bear. Unlike the times of stalwart Balasahab Thackeray who expressed his radical views openly in public, daring anyone to stand against him, Uddhav Thackeray takes precautious steps while commenting or aiming at anyone.

Comparing current Sena Chief’s views with his previous posts and comments on political situations is quite interesting. It was Uddhav only who had coined Aam Aadmi party Convener Arvind Kejriwal as ‘Yeda’ (Crazy) a couple of years back, but now has extended his support for the ‘dharna specialist’, who along with his co is on a sit-in protest at LG Anil Baijal’s office since last eight days, demanding ‘IAS officers to return back to work’.

Kingmaker or Opportunist?

Just before each election – whether General, Assembly or Municipal – the Shiv Sena part its ways from his ‘ally’ Bharatiya Janata Party. Beating the chest and claiming to secure all contested seats, the party acts as an opposition. However, when they loose the majority, they align with the saffron front once again. It happened in 2014 during the General Elections and also during the Assembly elections. Remember?

Claiming to be the kingmaker, which Balasaheb Thackeray was but Uddav isn’t, the Shiv Sena has been practicing ‘Tom and Jerry Show’ with its ally. Though the party says it supports BJP and its ideologies, the response of Shiv Sena is like “ally on papers and opposition in reality”. It would be interesting to see in which direction Sena’s tiger will roar in the General Elections 2019 or not.