With the new economy and new technology, the Marathi community began to be scattered. Their old residential premises were being sold for astronomical sums. The rise of new money was sidelining those who had neither the flexibility of work nor qualification for participating in the new economy. One can describe them as the neo-lumpens. This is not a majority Maharashtrian. But he is vocal, angry, frustrated and ready to throw stones. Raj has thrown these stones at the glass house of the Shiv Sena. Uddhav only had the option of abandoning the inclusive approach or the Sena’s leadership, whose raison-d’etre was the Marathi Manoos.

Tweedledum and Tweedledee Agreed to have a battle;

For Tweedledum said Tweedledee Had spoiled his nice new rattle.

Just then flew down a monstrous crow, As black as a tar-barrel;

Which frightened both the heroes so, They forgot their quarrel.

The writer is editor, ‘Loksatta’

kumar.ketkar@expressindia.com