Confuged Udhav Thakre ?

                                    Confused Udhav Thakre ?

            Bala Saheb Thakre founded Shiv Sena with a clear vision of ruling Maharashtra.He was bold,clear headed and courageous leader who tried to interwind Marathi Manush and their pride.He took many steps,he made many statements which can be termed as most controversial and was condemned by all.Late Machu Dandwate who was a great socialist leader from Maharasta who rose to become India's Finance Minister in V.P.Singh's Government once told me that Shiv Sena was a party of goons.He was not wholly wrong.SS used to indulge in hooliganism,create ripples between Maharastrians and Non-Maharastrians.Bala Saheb had the courage to challenge any body,his body language always suggested he reined supreme and ruled the roost.At grass root level,SS captured BMC,one of the largest corporations.However,his stances were anti Muslim and pro Hindu.
             Bala Saheb had alliance with BJP which was very carefully manicured by Vajpayee,and Advani which was given shape by Pramod Mahajan, the articulate leader close to the stalwarts of BJP.The alliance continued for 25 Yrs.No one Mumbai dared to defy Bala Saheb,however famous he may be.They knew,at the whisper of Bala Saheb his life could become miserable. Bala Saheb had made it very clear through his words and deeds.Matoshri was a Fort from where Bala Saheb ruled through his cheftians. Despite his dominating personalities,a few leaders deserted SS and some of the prominent leaders deserted SS.Chagan Bhijbal,Rane,and Sanjaya Nirupam are a few names to be remembered.Even his nephew Raj Thakre deserted him as he was being sidelined to empower Udhav Thakre.Raj Thakre not only defied SS,he floated MNS a political outfit which turned out to be a dampner for SS.
            Now that Bala Saheb is no more and SS is being steared by his son Udhav Thakre,a mild successor of a bold predecessor, scenario changed very fast.May Parliamentary election was a trial for Modi-Amit Shah who accepted the terms set by Udhav Thakre but having tasted unprecedented success on May 16,2014,the forward looking Modi- Amit Shah team became emboldened and wanted to test the waters of Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana.BJP broke its alliance with Bishnoi's party HJS Party and decided to go alone in Haryana,Negotiations started for seat sharing in Maharashtra.BJP wanted to improve its tally which was at 46 (288) and wanted equal share on seats.Here the political accumanship of Udhav Thakre dried up and still wanted to dictate its terms with BJP.Udhav failed to gauge the ground reality and swelling support in favour of BJP.Amit Shah was elevated as BJP President and Modi was making a grand mark domestically and internationally.He was triumphing every where.People in Maharashtra too had shown confidence in Maharashtra where BJP- SS combine had cornered 42 seats.Modi was the face in May election but Udhav always thought it was he who reined in.
            Udhav should have accepted equal partnership in Assembly election but he remained stub burn and wanted to still behave like a big brother and wanted 151 seats for SS and 121 seats for BJP which was not acceptable to BJP.The 25 Yrs.old alliance was going to break down but Udhav did not realise it.The alliance broke and BJP had to contest on all 288 seats with its allies.There were around more than 150-160 seats which was never contested by BJP in the past but BJP in a few days managed to nominate candidates.Electioneering started,Modi again became the  face of BJP who addressed meetings in all corners of Maharashtra but never attacked Bala Saheb or SS.His focussed attack was Congress- NCP combine.However, Udhav likened Modi as Afzal Khan.It was too bad on his part as it was just childish.Samana went to the extent of attacking Modi's father also.
              When results were announced on Oct,19 instant,it was stunning.BJP won 123 which was triple from its last tally and SS got stuck at ,63,half of what BJP bagged.That should have been an eye opener for Udhav,but he kept his eyes shut.He is not in a position to dictate his terms,only option is to submit.He must know that if he has to reconcile tomorrow, he should reconcile today.That is the political wisdom.But Udhav shies away from accepting the writing on the wall.If BJP forms minority government,SS will have to support such government from outside as it can not pull down such government aligning with Congress particularly when NCP have indicated its unconditional support to BJP government.
              Udhav Thakre appears to be completely confused and fast loosing the momentum.With 18 MPs and one Cabinet Minister at the Central Government,negotiations would have ended in a few days and all matters would have been settled.However,Udhav has to remove his old glasses and put on his nose a friendly glasses and come on board fast.