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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.

Three Jaish terrorists killed in Kishtwar encounter



After killing a Pakistani terrorist on Friday morning, security forces neutralised two more in the Naidgam forests of Chatroo in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, officials said.


The three terrorists have been identified as Jaish-e-Mohammad commander Saifullah, and two others named Farman and Basha. Each carried a bounty of ₹5 lakh.


"Security forces launched the operation on April 9. One terrorist was gunned down in the morning, and two more were eliminated later in the day," a senior police officer said.


Personnel from the elite 2, 5, and 9 Para Special Forces of the Army, the CRPF, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) were involved in the encounter.


The operation took place in snow-covered mountains with dense forest cover.

"The Army used helicopters to locate the fleeing terrorists," the officer added.

A large quantity of arms, ammunition, and explosives was recovered from the site.


Brigadier JVS Rathi, commander of the 5 Sector Assam Rifles, and DIG Shridhar Patil of the Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban range will brief the media about the operation at the 5 Assam Rifles headquarters on Saturday.


Security forces have also launched parallel anti-terror operations in Udhampur and Kishtwar districts. Officials believe the terrorists are part of a group that recently infiltrated through the international border in the Hiranagar sector of Kathua district.


In one incident amid these operations, three armed terrorists—believed to be from Jaish-e-Mohammad—entered a villager’s home in Basantgarh, Udhampur district, late on Wednesday. They ate food, took a mobile phone, clothes, shoes, a bag, and an umbrella before leaving.


Earlier, on April 3, two terrorists had entered another home in the Chore Panjwa-Khabbal area of Udhampur’s Majalta block. They held the family hostage, stole a mobile phone and food, and fled around 10 PM. This is the same area where security forces had earlier spotted terrorists on April 3.

The group was first sighted in a forest in Saniyal village of the Hiranagar sector on March 23. Security forces have been tracking their movements since then.


On March 27, two terrorists and four policemen were killed in an encounter in the Sufain forest near Jakhole village in Kathua district.


Meanwhile, in a separate incident, the Pakistan Army violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control in the Keri Battal sector of Akhnoor to push armed terrorists across the border. Alert Indian troops foiled the attempt.

During the heavy exchange of fire, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), Kuldeep Singh, was critically injured. He was airlifted to a garrison hospital but later died from his injuries.


"At around 9:15 PM, the Pakistani Army opened fire with small arms on an Indian forward post in the Keri-Battal sector under Police Station Khour in Akhnoor," officials said. "In retaliation, Indian troops fired back in the same direction."


The Army is expected to issue an official statement soon.

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