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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.

The gimmick behind Malik’s forced candidature

Updated: Oct 30, 2024

The Mahayuti is trying to clean the tainted NCP leader by pitting him against controversial Abu Azmi

Abu Azmi

Mumbai: Though the BJP and its leaders vociferously opposing candidature of NCP leader Nawab Malik for the November 20 Assembly election, it is now revealed that pitting Malik against Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi is a game plan of Mahayuti leaders.


After deciding to stay with the Ajit Pawar-led NCP after the split, Malik suddenly announced his decision to contest the election from a neighbouring constituency. Now, he is entering the fray from the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar assembly seat against Samajwadi Party leader Azmi. This has raised many eyebrows in the political circle and the BJP leader Ashish Shelar promptly reacted and said that his party is against the candidature of NCP leader Nawab Malik.


Malik, who has been representing the Anushakti Nagar constituency, will be replaced by his daughter, Sana Shaikh, who was earlier part of Sharad Pawar’s faction after the split, but has now decided to join her father. NCP has announced Sana’s candidature from Anushakti Nagar. This will be her electoral debut. Nevertheless, Malik contesting from Anushakti Nagar is a calculated move of the Mahayuti leaders.


According to sources, the leaders of Shiv Sena, BJP and the NCP strongly feel that Malik is the only person who can check Abu Asim Azmi who is representing Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar for the last three terms. Ajit Pawar himself gave the nod to Malik’s candidature, sources added.


Interestingly, Malik was in the Samajwadi Party for several years.


The population of the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar Assembly constituency is predominantly Muslim and believed to be around 58 percent. Maharashtrians, North Indians, South Indians and Dalits form the remaining 42 percent. Against this backdrop Malik is being regarded as a tough opponent for Azmi. The Samajwadi neta comfortably won the seat even when the Narendra Modi wave swept the country in 2014. In the last election, Azmi’s victory margin was 25,613 votes. Malik has made it clear that he will submit the nomination papers on October 29.


Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Friday named Sana Malik as the candidate for the Anushakti Nagar assembly constituency. Sana Mailk’s candidature strengthens chances of Nawab Malik contesting the polls from the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar constituency as an independent candidate.


Malik was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in the case involving alleged land and money transactions between an underworld don and him. At the time, Nawab Malik was the most powerful spokesperson of the undivided NCP led by Sharad Pawar. After a prolonged legal battle, Malik was released on medical bail. During the Nagpur session of the state legislature when Malik was seen in the legislature party office, Devendra Fadnavis had written a letter to Ajit Pawar saying he should not be entertained since he has links with the underworld. Then Fadnavis had expressed strong displeasure over the entire episode.


Nawab Malik refused to elaborate over his decision to contest the election from Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar. “I am going to file the nomination on Monday,” he said. “The people of Shivaji Nagar-Mankhurd are fed up of the drug menace. I will contest the election from there and win.”

If Malik indeed wins all the blots on him will vanish.

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