top of page

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.

Warriors of the Night

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

We name our daughters Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati; we worship the divine feminine power in the temples but oppress, repress and even attack the feminine power amidst us. That is the irony in the way India sees its women.

After the safety of the daylight fades, women are seen as easy prey by the predators of the night.

We mark the nine nights of Navratri, the festival of the goddess, by celebrating the dedication and valour of nine real-life women who brave the challenges of the night to pursue their dreams.


PART - 2

Safety Gloves On!

A DOCTOR NARRATES WHY SHE DOES NOT FEEL UNSAFE IN MUMBAI

Safety Gloves On

Avoiding public transport when out late at night and driving home in her own car is how Dr. Mrudul Randive manoeuvres her way around the city

They say there’s safety in numbers and in a city that never sleeps-Mumbai-it is the numbers even in the dead of the night that offers its women a relative safety net. It’s not hard to find people and cars on the roads at any time of the night.

Dr. Mrudual Randive, a 44-year-old doctor works at Sion Hospital and commutes to her place of work from Thane, where she lives, covering a distance of around 30 km every day. Being a doctor, emergencies come calling when she’s least expecting them. There are times when she is in hospital attending to patients well post-midnight, after most people have returned to their homes.

Her way of staying safe is to drive herself around the city instead of taking autorickshaws where the drivers, more often than not, pass “nasty comments” on women. It’s something many women complain of but not all have an alternate mode of transport. “In Mumbai, I’ve never felt unsafe, no matter the time. It’s a city where I can rely on the environment to be relatively secure,” says Dr. Randive.

An M.D. in Microbiology, Dr. Randive’s sense of safety isn’t without exceptions. One recurring issue that she points out is her encounters with local rickshaw drivers. “Sometimes, rickshaw drivers behave nastily. They make personal comments instead of stopping for a ride. It catches you off guard, and you don’t really know how to react in that moment,” she says. She emphasizes that her own experience has been largely positive, especially compared to the challenges that others may face while commuting late at night. Her story reflects the dual nature of Mumbai-where safety is often perceived, but precautions are always necessary.

Her job isn’t confined to the typical 9 AM to 5 PM schedule. Emergencies beckon her to the hospital at any time of the night. Despite the unpredictable hours, Dr. Randive, is comfortable navigating Mumbai’s streets, although she expresses scepticism about the availability of the police on the streets at night. While travelling late, she rues that the police are barely seen on the streets. “They are mostly meant for VIPs,” she says. This lack of visible law enforcement in areas where it might be necessary is a concern she feels strongly about. While she personally hasn’t faced any immediate threat during her travels, the absence of police in certain areas, especially during the night, is something that lingers on her mind. She, however, advises caution despite the relative safety the city offers.

Mumbai is a city that’s both, welcoming and challenging at the same time. The proverbial spirit of the city exists in the people who are helpful and willing to assist those in need, which adds to the safety quotient. “Mumbaikars are usually very cooperative,” she says. She is more comfortable travelling during the day and has faced no trouble over the years.

All is largely well in Mumbai but Dr. Randive advises caution while taking public transport at night. If she needs to get to the hospital late at night or is returning home in the wee hours of the morning, her husband usually drives her to work. Or if she’s travelling alone, Dr. Randive shares her ride details with him, just so that he knows where she is. It’s a safety precaution most women in Mumbai take-of sharing their aggregator cab details or sharing their location.

Comments

bottom of page