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HomeLok Sabha Elections 2019Thackeray Cub to stride in electoral politics?

Thackeray Cub to stride in electoral politics?

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Aditya ThackerayThe Shiv Sena-BJP relationship in Maharashtra has seen a succession of both good and bad experiences in the last five years — targeting the PM Modi-led central government, reminding the Prime Minister of his poll promises acting like opposition to joining hands just before the polls and being flower-mouthed about the Prime Minister!

Now, the rumours are strongly doing rounds that if the Sena-BJP government secures victory in the upcoming state assembly elections, Aaditya Thackeray, the Thackeray heir and the son of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, might get an important portfolio. The talks are also at the peak that the Yuva Sena President might contest the Lok Sabha elections from one of the constituencies in Mumbai. Reportedly, a battalion of the party’s IT cell is on full action to run PR activities in favour of the Thackeray scion. They are active round the clock projecting Aaditya Thackeray ‘larger than life’. If this happens, it will be a trend changer as in spite of being at the helm of the party’s political affairs, the Thackeray family neither contested elections nor held a seat in the government. Bal Thackeray’s son and successor Uddhav Thackeray too continued the tradition. However, so far, there’s no official announcement on Aaditya taking up electoral politics.

State Environment Minister and senior Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam expressed, “Since Aaditya Thackeray was launched by Balasaheb Thackeray, youth has become politically active in the state. He speaks politely and takes good political decisions. Right now, he is amicably handling the leadership of Shiv Sena and he will continue to do so in the future too.”

The demise of Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray marked the end of an era. Building a party from the scratch to his unique understanding of ordinary Marathi sentiment and their regret, Balasaheb Thackeray was controlling the politics of Maharashtra especially the alliance with BJP. The veteran leaders of BJP used to turn to him for support. In 1995, the first Sena-BJP coalition government resumed office in Maharashtra. The alliance chose Manohar Joshi as the Chief Minister and Sena was the lead partner of the saffron coalition. Later, the Congress-NCP government took over and after long, in 2014, the Uddhav-led Sena and BJP formed the government together. However, political waves sidelined Uddhav and experts believe it happened because as he was not as dedicated, committed and powerful as his father. The age gap between the Sena and BJP leaders too played a vital role. While Balasaheb was regarded as the father figure among both the saffron parties being the eldest, Udhhav Thackeray is a junior during his time than the senior BJP leaders.

Here and now, if the junior Thackeray breaks the ice and launches himself in electoral politics, he will join the row of gen-next politicians like NCP’s Parth Pawar and BJP’s Sujay Vikhe Patil. Maharashtra is not new to dynasty politics and the state has seen many political scions as today’s leaders — Raksha Khadse, daughter-in-law of BJP leader Eknath Khadse, Pritam Munde, daughter of late BJP leader Gopinath Munde, Dr. Heena Gavit, daughter of BJP leader Dr. Vijaykumar Gavit, Poonam Mahajan, daughter of late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, Shrikant Shinde, son of Eknath Shinde, Santosh Danve, son of Maharashtra BJP President Raosaheb Danve, and others.

BJP Minister of State for Social Justice Dilip Kamble said, “Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray was a big leader in the country. Uddhav is his successor who is successfully handling Maharashtra and India’s politics. Aaditya Thackeray too belongs to the same family; just like his father, he is working and undertaking a tour in Maharashtra in the same manner. He has similar decision-making ability like his predecessors. BJP and Shiv Sena have been in an alliance for the last 25 years and now Aaditya Thackeray will take these parties forward.”

It was reported that the Sena leadership has different thoughts on Aaditya’s entry to the power corridors. While a part of them want him to claim the stake for the Chief Ministerial post or hold an important department in the state cabinet, some wish to see him represent the state in New Delhi.

With speculations of Aaditya Thackeray’s poll plunge, the Shiv Sena is now planning to launch ‘Aaditya Sanvad’ as a mode to aggressively connect Aaditya Thackeray with the youth as a future leader. Reportedly, Aaditya Sanvad would be the next chapter after Yuva To Yuva programme and will be a platform to discuss social and political issues during campaigning. These interactive sessions are scheduled to take place in April and will start from Aurangabad on April 2; Nashik on April 7, Kolhapur on April 13, Mumbai on April 21, and Pimpri-Chinchwad on April 24 to follow. The Thackeray heir will also hold roadshows in Vidarbha.

Only time can tell whether Aaditya Thackeray will take a plunge into electoral politics or not, which constituency he will contest from, is he going to fight in Lok Sabha or state assembly polls! Howbeit, if he does, it is believed to be interesting to see how this young leader, who took charge of student politics and formed the party’s youth wing Yuva Sena and led his party campaign in 2014, draw his path.

Mahadev Jankar, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries Development spoke to Afternoon Voice and stated, “Aaditya is the youngest politician and he is performing his job efficiently. Since he belongs to the Thackeray family, he will become a popular face of politics in the country in the near future. He is a good friend of mine and both of us are working for the development of Maharashtra. He will take effective decisions for the state. The surname Thackeray is very powerful and attracts a large number of people.”

 

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