Ever since the Shiv Sena was formed 42 years ago, Balasaheb Thackeray has regarded Shivaji Park as his rightful ground for political mobilisation. Any other leader holding a rally here is seen as an affront to the Sena. A couple of months ago Mayawati displayed her strength at this maidan and appealed to followers of Dr Ambedkar as well as to upper castes to join her in the campaign for a national alternative.

The dalits in the state were overwhelmed by the magnitude of the rally but were also confused because the local leadership of the Republican Party (all factions) was either indifferent or totally opposed to her. A large number of Marathi dalit youth have been deserting the RPI and joining either the Shiv Sena or Raj Thackeray’s new outfit, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.

True, the traditionalists in the RPI have continued to stay with Ramdas Athavle or Prakash Ambedkar. But already a competition of sorts has begun for the dalit vote bank. Balasaheb as well as his heir apparent, Uddhav, believe that today the appeal of a Marathi identity is more dominant than that of the dalit identity. In the same vein, the Thackerays believe that in Maharashtra Hindu identity politics has no independent base unless it is sharpened by a fierce Marathi spirit. Shivaji is the spirit and symbol of this militant Marathi identity.

Balasaheb, in one stroke, has issued a warning to his saffron comrades that the Sena cannot be taken for granted in the next election and has also declared a war with Mayawati by closing ranks with the dalit Marathi youth. In the same marathon interview, he has also announced that the Sena will back Sharad Pawar as a Marathi icon, for the post of the prime minister, notwithstanding the BJP’s announcement that L.K. Advani is their official candidate.

... contd.