In the end, it was political compulsion that Shiv SenaDecision to support NDA’s presidential candidate Draupadi Murmu on Monday. Although Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray claimed that he was not under pressure from his MLAs, it is no secret that the Shiv Sena, after the recent uprising, got injured and decreased in strength, leading to the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Government led. Few options on the table.
On Monday, 13 of the party’s 18 remaining MPs had attended a meeting called by Thackeray at his residence and “requested” him to support Murmu for the presidency and open the door to a possible reconciliation with him. BJP and breakaway Eknath Shinde Party faction.
Last week, party MP Rahul Shewale wrote a letter to Thackeray saying that Shiv Sena should support Murmu. In a party where the Thackeray family is rarely questioned, the MP’s letter to the Shiv Sena chief was a clear indication that the tiger’s stripes were fast fading and the party members were now able to stand up and make up their mind. He was not afraid to speak. After the recent rebellion, Thackeray is walking a thin line anyway: any attempt by him to disregard the sentiments of his MPs would have exposed a wider rift.
Sources say there is a bigger message in Thackeray’s decision to admit his MPs on Murmu: that he is willing – even eager – to maintain a cordial relationship with the prime minister. Narendra Modi And fix broken enclosures along the center. Through his verdict on Murmu, Thackeray would like to point out that the Shiv Sena-BJP relationship is still an open matter.
Defending the Shiv Sena’s decision to support Murmu, a senior leader said, “Why would anyone object when a tribal woman candidate is presented (for the president’s post) for the first time? Any attempt to oppose the decision will not go well for the tribals of Maharashtra. ,
The leader acknowledged that the party had “limited options”.
“On one hand we have an educated and experienced tribal leader in Murmu. On the other hand, we have Yashwant Sinha as the opposition candidate. Even within the opposition, there is no consensus on Sinha. Then why should Shiv Sena support him?”
Shiv Sena insiders reveal how party founder Bal Thackeray set aside ideological and political differences to twice support UPA’s presidential candidates Pratibha Patil and Pranab Mukherjee.
Stating that Thackeray played smart by supporting Murmu, a Shiv Sena leader said, “In politics, you don’t slam doors forever. Who can predict the future?”
The BJP has welcomed Thackeray’s decision to support Murmu. A state BJP functionary said, “There is no permanent friend or foe in politics. Even the central leadership of the BJP would not want to end the ties with the Thackeray family. Party sources said that in the BJP’s core committee meetings, state and central leaders have made a strong appeal to the workers not to target Thackeray. The BJP also decided not to include Aaditya Thackeray’s name in the list of MLAs whose disqualification was sought.
A BJP general secretary said, “If the Shiv Sena is willing to embrace the Shinde-led rebels and form an alliance with the BJP, the central leadership will assist them. After all, there would have been just a phone call or a meeting between the PM and Thackeray.” Is. “