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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.

Villages take steps for uplift of widows

AI generated image
AI generated image

Mumbai: A tide of social change has gradually risen in Maharashtra's rural belt, with more than 7,000 villages declaring that they have abolished customs and rituals which distress widows and discriminate against them.


Of the 27,000 gram panchayats in Maharashtra, 7,683 villages have held gram sabhas and announced they have gotten rid of customs that discriminated against widows, activist Pramod Zinjade, who has been spearheading the campaign to eradicate evil customs related to widows, told PTI.


The campaign gained momentum after Herwad in Kolhapur district became the first village in the country to ban customs associated with widowhood in 2022 to maintain women's right to live with dignity.


The village passed a resolution on May 4, 2022, banning the removal of 'mangalsutra' (sacred necklace worn by married women) and toe rings of a widow, wiping her sindoor (vermillion) and breaking her bangles.


Over the years, several rural pockets have taken a leaf out of Herwad's book by including widows in Sarvajanik Ganpati pujas, haldi-kumkum events and flag-hoisting ceremonies.


Taking cognisance of the challenges faced by widows in the country, the National Human Rights Commission issued an advisory last year and asked the states and the Union Territories to improve the quality of life of these women and protect their dignity.


Talking to PTI, Herwad's former sarpanch Surgonda Patil said the custom of breaking bangles and removing mangalsutra and toe rings has almost stopped.


'Earlier, we would visit homes where deaths occurred to check if these customs were followed. But now, people are more aware," he said.


He further said a few widows in the village have remarried, and they are included in social and religious gatherings.


Herwad resident Vaishali Patil, who lost her husband 12 years ago, said, "Widows are being treated with dignity and respect. People have realised we are humans. The mindset, however, has to change, and age-old customs cannot be stopped overnight."


She said convincing the elders in families to let go of certain rituals is hard and is still a work in progress.


Pranjal Wagh, former sarpanch of Kadoli village in Nagpur district, said she started the practice of inviting widows for haldi-kumkum programmes much before the Herwad gram sabha's resolution.


"When I was the sarpanch from 2017-22, widows didn't go out and socialise. I would invite all women for haldi-kumkum events and offer gifts to widows, despite objections," she said.


The Kadoli gram sabha also passed a resolution to ban evil customs related to widows, but it is not followed strictly, Wagh said, adding that she invites 1,000 women for haldi-kumkum every year.


Anil Shirsat, sarpanch of Musalgaon in Nashik district, said his village was 90 per cent literate and doesn't follow evil practices against widows.


"We don't have the custom of removing mangalsutra, wiping sindoor and other rituals. For the last three years, we have been using 15 per cent of funds the gram panchayat receives to help five needy widows every year," he said.


He said a resolution to empower widows will be passed in the next gram sabha.


"We will ask self-help groups to include widows and ensure their economic empowerment," he said.


Sanjay Pawar, a member of the Dhondvir Nagar village panchayat in Nashik district, said their gram sabha had resolved to ensure widows live with dignity.


"We ensure they get pensions and homes under different government schemes. The gram panchayat takes care to resolve their problems," he said.


Social activist Lalit Babar, who works in the Kolhapur, Sangli and Solapur districts, said 76 gram panchayats in Sangola took an oath not to follow the age-old discriminatory customs related to widows.


"We have roped in block development officers and integrated child development services (ICDS) workers. When we get information about a man's death, we visit the home to check if his wife has been forced to perform any of the rituals," Babar said.

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