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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

The Unequal Cousins

Raj Thackeray’s ‘sacrifice’ saved Shiv Sena (UBT) but sank the MNS Mumbai: In the volatile theatre of Maharashtra politics, the long-awaited reunion of the Thackeray cousins on the campaign trail was supposed to be the masterstroke that reclaimed Mumbai. The results of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, however, tell a story of tragic asymmetry. While the alliance has successfully helped the Shiv Sena (UBT) stem the saffron tide and regain lost ground, it has left Raj...

The Unequal Cousins

Raj Thackeray’s ‘sacrifice’ saved Shiv Sena (UBT) but sank the MNS Mumbai: In the volatile theatre of Maharashtra politics, the long-awaited reunion of the Thackeray cousins on the campaign trail was supposed to be the masterstroke that reclaimed Mumbai. The results of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, however, tell a story of tragic asymmetry. While the alliance has successfully helped the Shiv Sena (UBT) stem the saffron tide and regain lost ground, it has left Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) staring at an existential crisis. The final tally reveals a brutal reality for the MNS - Raj Thackeray played the role of the savior for his cousin, but in the process, he may have become the sole loser of the 2026 mandate. The worse part is that the Shiv Sena (UBT) is reluctant to accept this and is blaming Raj for the poor performance of his party leading to the defeat. A granular analysis of the ward-wise voting patterns exposes the fundamental flaw in this tactical alliance. The vote transfer, the holy grail of any coalition, operated strictly on a one-way street. Data suggests that the traditional MNS voter—often young, aggressive, and driven by regional pride—heeded Raj Thackeray’s call and transferred their votes to Shiv Sena (UBT) candidates in wards where the MNS did not contest. This consolidation was critical in helping the UBT hold its fortresses against the BJP's "Infra Man" juggernaut. However, the favor was not returned. In seats allocated to the MNS, the traditional Shiv Sena (UBT) voter appeared hesitant to back the "Engine" (MNS symbol). Whether due to lingering historical bitterness or a lack of instructions from the local UBT leadership, the "Torch" (UBT symbol) voters did not gravitate toward Raj’s candidates. The result? The UBT survived, while the MNS candidates were left stranded. ‘Second Fiddle’ Perhaps the most poignant aspect of this election was the shift in the personal dynamic between the Thackeray brothers. Decades ago, they parted ways over a bitter dispute regarding who would control the party helm. Raj, refusing to work under Uddhav, formed the MNS to chart his own path. Yet, in 2026, the wheel seems to have come full circle. By agreeing to contest a considerably lower number of seats and focusing his energy on the broader alliance narrative, Raj Thackeray tacitly accepted the role of "second fiddle." It was a pragmatic gamble to save the "Thackeray" brand from total erasure by the BJP-Shinde combine. While the brand survived, it is Uddhav who holds the equity, while Raj has been left with the debt. Charisma as a Charity Throughout the campaign, Raj Thackeray’s rallies were, as always, electric. His fiery oratory and charismatic presence drew massive crowds, a sharp contrast to the more somber tone of the UBT leadership. Ironically, this charisma served as a force multiplier not for his own party, but for his cousin’s. Raj acted as the star campaigner who energised the anti-BJP vote bank. He successfully articulated the anger against the "Delhi-centric" politics he accuses the BJP of fostering. But when the dust settled, the seats were won by UBT candidates who rode the wave Raj helped create. The MNS chief provided the wind for the sails, but the ship that docked in the BMC was captained by Uddhav. ‘Marathi Asmita’ Stung by the results and the realisation of the unequal exchange, Raj Thackeray took to social media shortly after the counting concluded. In an emotive post, he avoided blaming the alliance partner but instead pivoted back to his ideological roots. Urging his followers to "stick to the issue of Marathi Manoos and Marathi Asmita (pride)," Raj signaled a retreat to the core identity politics that birthed the MNS. It was a somber appeal, stripped of the bravado of the campaign, hinting at a leader who knows he must now rebuild from the rubble. The 2026 BMC election will be remembered as the moment Raj Thackeray proved he could be a kingmaker, even if it meant crowning the rival he once despised. He provided the timely help that allowed the Shiv Sena (UBT) to live to fight another day. But in the ruthless arithmetic of democracy, where moral victories count for little, the MNS stands isolated—a party that gave everything to the alliance and received nothing in return. Ironically, there are people within the UBT who still don’t want to accept this and on the contrary blame Raj Thackeray for dismal performance of the MNS, which they argue, derailed the UBT arithmetic. They state that had the MNS performed any better, the results would have been much better for the UBT.

Congress’ bête noire!

Updated: Oct 30, 2024

Prakash Ambedkar

He accuses Sharad Pawar of having met Dawood, he accuses Shiv Sena under Uddhav Thackeray of cheating the BJP and having secret meeting with Amit Shah in recent times, he accuses the Hindutva forces of inciting violence at Bhima Koregaon, and he is not afraid of sharing stage with leaders of Maoists front organizations. Yet, if one asks who is afraid of him the most, that political organization is indeed the Congress. Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Dr B R Ambedkar is the one single force that stands between the grand old party of India and its favourite vote-bank – the Dalits.


Born on May 10, 1954, Prakash Ambedkar is a lawyer, and a writer. He was Rajya Sabha MP between 1990 and 1996, and Lok Sabha MP from Akola in Vidarbha between 1998 and 2004. But, he is known more for various social movements that he had been supporting or initiating. He is also known for forming alliances of smaller Dalit parties to ensure it comes up as a major force in the state politics.


In 2019, he founded the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), a political party aimed at representing the interests of Dalits, Muslims, and other smaller marginalized communities. The VBA has gained significant traction in Maharashtra, particularly among those who feel excluded from the mainstream political discourse. The party’s primary objective is to address issues of social and economic inequality and to provide a platform for the voices of the underprivileged. But, it was seen as the vote cutter by the mainstream political parties like Congress, who always took Dalit votes for granted. They took the major brunt while recording its lowest numbers in the state assembly at 54.


While Ambedkar’s tenure in both houses of the Indian Parliament was marked by his unwavering commitment to social justice and equality, he is known for his strategic political organizing, often referred to as the “Akola Pattern.” This approach focuses on mobilizing support from various marginalized groups to create a unified front against social and economic injustices. The Akola Pattern has been instrumental in building a strong political base for the VBA in Maharashtra.


Among the various social movements and protests he supported or initiated, are mass rallies and demonstrations to address issues such as the Rohith Vemula suicide case, the demolition of Ambedkar Bhavan, and the Bhima Koregaon violence. In 2017, along with his son Sujat, Prakash Ambedkar relaunched “Prabuddh Bharat” (Enlightened India), a newspaper founded by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in 1956. This initiative aims to continue the mission of spreading awareness about social justice and equality.

He often talks about next CM of Maharashtra coming from the VBA.

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