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...

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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.

Urgent Action Needed: Protect India’s Sugar Industry from Global Threats

Rajendra Joshi
Dec 3, 2024
3 min read

The global sugar industry appears to be embroiled in a controversy targeting India's cooperative sugar sector, raising concerns about a conspiracy to malign its reputation. This comes shortly after Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening India's sugar industry at a United Nations event commemorating the International Year of Cooperatives.

Despite the Indian sugar industry’s notable strides in recent years—emerging as a major player in global exports and becoming a critical source of livelihood for millions—allegations of worker exploitation and unhygienic practices have surfaced in the international media. A report by the New York Times has amplified these claims, bringing them to global attention. This development demands immediate intervention from the Central Government, as failure to address these accusations could jeopardize an industry with an annual turnover of approximately ₹2 lakh crore, which supports millions of farmers and labourers.

India's Sugar Industry: A Global Leader Under Attack

India is the world's second-largest sugar producer, often competing with Brazil for the top spot. While Brazil has increasingly shifted its focus towards ethanol production, India's sugar exports have dominated global markets in recent years. However, this success has seemingly irked several nations, including Brazil, Australia, Thailand, and Guatemala, leading them to lodge complaints against India at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over alleged export subsidies. Despite this, India has maintained its position without subsidies, showcasing the industry's resilience.

The latest allegations, however, represent a more insidious strategy to undermine India’s sugar industry. Claims of labour exploitation in cooperative sugar factories have been published thrice since April 2024 in the New York Times. The report alleges forced labour, inadequate wages, poor healthcare facilities, and educational neglect for workers’ families. It also mentions disturbing accusations of coercing female workers into undergoing hysterectomies to ensure uninterrupted labour.

Is the Narrative Distorted?

The allegations presented in the New York Times paint a grim picture, but industry insiders argue that they are far from reality. While isolated incidents may warrant investigation, painting the entire cooperative sugar industry as exploitative is an overreach. The report fails to account for welfare initiatives implemented by sugar cooperatives, such as health camps, educational programmes, and ration distribution for workers.

Furthermore, the claims ignore key aspects of the industry's operations. In Maharashtra, for instance, efforts have been made to accommodate the voting rights of migrant workers by adjusting the sugarcane harvesting schedule. Notably, the labour contractors (known as mukadams), and not the sugar factories themselves, are responsible for hiring, harvesting, and transporting labourers. These contractors operate independently, often receiving advance payments from the factories.

In Northern India, many farmers directly manage their own harvesting and transportation processes, further challenging the claim that factories are exploiting workers.

Economic and Strategic Implications

The timing and nature of these allegations suggest a broader agenda. With multinational beverage and food giants like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Nestlé, and Cadbury relying heavily on sugar supplies from Indian cooperatives, the fallout from such reports could disrupt these critical supply chains. Attempts to discourage these companies from sourcing sugar from India under the pretext of "humanitarian" and "health" concerns could lead to significant economic losses and harm India's reputation on the global stage.

Government's Role

The Indian government must act decisively to counter this narrative. A robust response highlighting the cooperative sugar industry’s contributions and adherence to labour and safety standards is essential. Furthermore, engaging with international organisations and media to clarify India’s position could prevent further damage.

The stakes are high—not just for India’s sugar industry but for millions of farmers and workers whose livelihoods depend on its continued growth. Left unchecked, this campaign could undermine India's achievements in global trade and cooperative development.

It’s time for the Centre to step in and ensure that India’s sugar industry receives the recognition and protection it rightfully deserves.

(The author is a senior journalist based in Kolhapur. Views personal.)

The Unequal Cousins

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