Shadow boxing between BJP and Shiv Sena

Shiv Sena is the oldest ally of BJP. It is in govt. with BJP in Maharashtra and at the Centre. There is more or less ideological similarity between the two parties. BJP is the bigger partner both in Maharashtra and at the Centre. Shiv Sena's political influence is confined to Maharashtra only while BJP is not only the national party but also emerged as the largest one of the nation. Just after a year and half of Narendra Modi govt. at the Centre, Shiv Sena started expressing reservation against the BJP openly. Though BJP has restrained so far in giving tit for tat to BJP to some extent, it now appears that breaking point between the two is about to be reached. Shiv Sena's Mouthpiece Samana's editorial stridently criticized the Demonetization and GST moves of the Narendra Modi Govt. In addition to that Sena Spokesperson Sanjay's Raut statement that now there is no longer Modi wave and Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi is capable of leading the nation will certainly sour relations between the two oldest allies. Shiv Sena's founder Bal Thackery also did not enjoy a very good relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There is no cordiality of the past between the two parties - Shiv Sena and BJP- being represented by Bal Thackery and Vajpayee- Advani duo respectively left anymore. And if this situation continued to prevail, it would not be a surprise that both the allies would choose their own way. The root cause of strain in a relation between Shiv Sena and BJP is that the former is not getting as much weight in Fadnavis-led BJP govt. in the state of Maharashtra. At the Centre also, BJP in Modi regime attaches any importance to Shiv Sena. It is also the fear of Shiv Sena that the rising popularity of BJP and its tilt towards Sharad Pawar - led NCP in Maharashtra may cause a split in it. Praising Rahul Gandhi and demeaning Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the Shiv Sena's spokesperson must have political importance. BJP may not react to Sanjay Raut in the same tone and tenor, but the knot has already set in relation with Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena has officially criticized Demonetization and GST and observing the ire of small and middle-class business persons at these two economic decisions, it has predicted that BJP might loose Gujarat this time. The thinking of Shiv Sena has always been low, narrow, parochial and regional. It may not openly espouse the cause of regionalism, but its breakaway group Maharashtra Navnirman Samiti (MNS) led by Bal Thackeray's nephew Raj Thackeray openly resorts to goondaism against the autorickshaw drivers, Rickshaw pullers, small business persons, hawkers and others in Mumbai from north India, especially Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and the state police and administration remain a mute spectator. BJP is the ruling party. BJP being largest national party, it should have immediately snapped its ties with this narrow and parochial party like Shiv Sena. Though Maharashtra Govt. is helpless in acting against the goons of MNS, who beat hawkers and auto rickshaw drivers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, hawkers have given them befitting reply. We are not supporting violence in any way by any side. But when no way is left and the govt. becomes silent over the alleged crime of Raj Thackeray's goons, the situation demands tit for tat. Mumbai is a cosmopolitan city. It is not only Indians but the people from all over the world visit. So, its cosmopolitan character must be kept intact. It will be better for BJP to snap the tie with Shiv Sena as early as possible. Otherwise, its own image is tarnished in the company of Shiv Sena. When Shiv Sena says that Modi wave has faded away, it means it has now no hope with BJP.