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Tiger’s estranged son throws lot with Raj Mumbai, November 28 Senior leaders of the Shiv Sena remained closeted at “Matoshree”, the residence of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray for the second day to study the fallout of the revolt by the charismatic Raj Thackeray. “Balasaheb is still meeting senior leaders,” former Maharashtra Chief Minister Manohar Joshi told reporters outside Thackeray’s house. Raj Thackeray, who was invited to hold discussions with his uncle and cousin Uddhav, decided to stay put at his residence at Shivaji Park in Central Mumbai. Several of his close confidants from the Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sena were also closeted with Raj Thackeray, sources said. “I have nothing new to say. Whatever needed to be said was said yesterday,” Raj Thackeray told reporters. Raj Thackeray had quit as leader of the Bharatiya Vidarthi Sena, the party’s student wing. His cousin and Balasaheb’s heir, Uddhav, attacked Raj for playing into the hands of the party’s enemies. “It looks like Raj’s speech was drafted by Narayan Rane,” Uddhav told reporters last night. However, no comment has come from Uddhav since then. Raj Thackeray received a major shot in the arm today when Jaidev Thackeray, an estranged son of the Shiv Sena supremo, came out against Uddhav Thackeray. His supporters called up news reporters in Mumbai saying Jaidev would participate in any agitation launched by Raj Thackeray. Bal Thackeray had thrown out Jaidev from his residence some years ago. However, Jaidev’s wife, Smita, continues to live with their children with the Thackerays even though the couple are now divorced. Joining hands with Raj and Jaidev was Parshuram Uparkar, the Shiv Sena candidate from Malvan who was soundly defeated by rebelturned-Congressman Narayan Rane. Uparkar who was in the BVS, said he too had resigned from the organisation and was solidly with Raj. Meanwhile, thousands of Shiv Sainiks continue to wait outside the party’s offices across Mumbai for Thackeray’s reaction to his nephew’s revolt.
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Sena crisis may hit Congress ties with NCP New Delhi, November 28 Although Congress insiders believe the spat between Raj and Uddhav Thackeray may not lead to an immediate exodus from its ranks, they also maintain that when such a development does take place, it will not be possible for the Congress to say no as the NCP will be waiting in the wings to grab them. There is a large section in the Congress which is distinctly uneasy with the induction of Sena rebels as it is not certain how this will go down with the minorities, which is the party’s major support base. As it is, the state unit is still not comfortable with the admission of former Sena leaders Narayan Rane and Sanjay Nirupam and the possbility of more Sainiks coming in has only added to their discomfort. Having humbled the Shiv Sena in the recent byelection, an elated Narayan Rane has predicted a further erosion in the Sena ranks, stating that at least six MPs and 10 legislators are already in touch with the Congress. Mr Sanjay Nirupam’s public statement yesterday that the Congress would welcome Mr Raj Thackeray if he were to walk out of the Shiv Sena has been officially denied by the Congress but the message was quite clear. The intention was to create confusion and panic in the Shiv Sena and also to tell the NCP that it is the larger and more influential political force in the state. “Admitting Sena rebels will serve two basic objectives: it will demolish the Shiv Sena and, at the same time, position the Congress as the party on the path of growth,” explained a senior Congress leader. The Congress has been trying to best the NCP ever since the latter won more seats in last assembly elections. This is the chief reason why the Congress wooed Narayan Rane
assiduously and is willing to accommodate more Sena rebels as it will swell their numbers in the assembly and overtake the NCP. It was pointed out that as recent events have shown, the Shiv Sena is gradually coming apart and a sizeable number of its members are looking for alternate avenues. They said this was obvious in the recent Malvan byelection. |
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