Mumbai: Amid a deepening crisis in Maharashtra over government formation, the Shiv Sena Wednesday responded to criticism over its possible alliance with Congress and NCP with another scathing attack on BJP.
In an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana, the Sena highlighted BJP’s alliances with ideologically opposed parties in Jammu and Kashmir (PDP) and Bihar (JD-U) to gain power.
“Where did the issue of ideology disappear when you decided to support Mehbooba Mufti and Nitish (Kumar?” asked the editorial. In Bihar, the mandate was for Lalu Prasad (RJD) and Nitish Kumar but BJP managed to form government by breaking their alliance, it added.
The party went on to say it was now “concerned” about Nitish Kumar.
The latest Sena statement came as it sought to defend its decision to enter into an alliance with the Congress and the NCP, and break away from the NDA.
On Tuesday, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said the three parties will work out a formula for government formation after Governor B.S. Koshyari denied more time and recommended President’s Rule.
In its editorial in Marathi Saamana, Shiv Sena said the whole attitude of the BJP to insist that they would rather sit in the opposition than give the Shiv Sena what was agreed upon likened to “Duryodhan-like scheming and planning”.
Also read: How Uddhav Thackeray shed his Rahul Gandhi image to be a Shiv Sena leader in his own right
The ‘samudra manthan’ analogy
In the Saamana editorial, the Shiv Sena said it was ready to do anything to provide a stable government to the people of Maharashtra.
The party cited the ‘samudra manthan‘ (churning of the ocean) episode from Hindu mythological text Vishnu Purana, according to which Lord Shiva had to consume poison, in support of its argument.
“We (Shiv Sena) are ready to consume the poison that came along with BJP from the pot of ambrosia, by assuming the role of ‘Neelkanth’ (Shiva), to rid the state of instability,” the editorial said.
Carrying the argument forward, it invoked Chhatrapati Shivaji saying the king worshipped Lord Shiva, and the Sena is devoted to Shivaji.
Governor’s role
The Shiv Sena mouthpiece also attacked the BJP and the Maharashtra governor over the fact that BJP got 15 days to stake claim to form the government even as the Sena got less than 24 hours.
“This is what is called ‘misuse of power’. What kind of law is this? The party which had 105 MLAs was celebrating at a time when Sena was given 24 hours knowing quite well that it would take much more to ensure all the parties came together,” the editorial read.
Without naming the governor, the party came down heavily on B.S. Koshiyari for recommending President’s Rule.
“The Governor always belongs to the ruling party, but there is always this hope and expectation that he will be independent and act fairly. It is expected that the governor will follow the rule of the Constitution and the spirit of the law,” it said.
The Sena said the decision to impose President’s rule is a step in the direction of horse-trading, though it hasn’t started yet.
Criticising the BJP’s “if not us, then no one else” attitude, the Sena said this arrogance will be disastrous for the party. It also reiterated that the situation would have been different if the BJP had adhered to its “promise of 50:50”.
The Sena had sought the chief ministerial chair for half the term. However, the BJP refused to accede to this demand.
Also read: To keep BJP out of power or stay secular — Sonia Gandhi weighs options on Shiv Sena tie-up
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Sending “ mixed signals “ is not one leader’s monopoly. The Shiv Sena will choose what works best for it. Being on the right side of Delhi is a significant plus, as is friction free working in the BMC.
So. Tying up with NCP and Congress is like drinking poison ???
Already gulped the poison and Sanjay Raut in Hospital. Power politics now leading to direct suicide threat. Uddhav needs to be taken to task by law.
Theprint needs courage to print the genuine comments on political gimmikry.