MUMBAI: Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Narayan Rane may float a new party and join the NDA. But what exactly would be the benefits that the BJP is eyeing?
First, BJP may increase its hold in Konkan. The 2014 Assembly polls was a poor show for the party in the Konkan. Also, the BJP’s loss was Shiv Sena’s gain in the region. In the recent zilla parishad elections, Shiv Sena managed to win Ratnagiri single-handedly while Rane kept his grip over Sindhudurga intact. Though Rane was with the Congress that time, the elected members have not been registered as Congress members. That would give them an advantage while changing sides along with Rane. This would also wipe out the Congress from the district.
Besides, if Rane joins the government, he will have to take the BJP along with him in the district. This could become counter-productive for the Sena. Rane was the only aggressive leader Congress had in Maharashtra. By losing him, the party has lost strength. But, at the same time the switchover has also placed challenges before the Sena.
The Congress and the NCP have almost lost the willingness to fight due to defeat in the local body elections last year. This makes the Sena the only viable option as an Opposition party. But, the party is not willing to occupy the space. This tricky situation is likely to worsen once Rane joins the state Cabinet. It would be difficult for the Shiv Sena to take Rane’s assaults as a partner in the government.
“We have been tolerating Shiv Sena’s criticism. It would be interesting to see whether they can show similar tolerance,” said a senior BJP minister in the Maharashtra Cabinet. Though several leaders have left Shiv Sena in past, Rane is the only one who has politically survived. He is also the only one who has never let go a chance to hurt the Sena. So, he can be the new ammunition in BJP’s arsenal against Sena.
But, the worst fear that is haunting the Sena leadership is that it won’t be easy for the party leadership to keep the discontent within the party under control once Rane becomes part of the government. The BJP has adopted a no-attack policy against the Shiv Sena since the parties severed ties during the 2014 Assembly polls. Under the same policy, the party is said to have denied entry to Sena members into its fold till now.
But, with Rane’s party the task would be easy. It would act as a parking arrangement for Shiv Sena members who want to switch over to the BJP. And with Rane as a minister in the state Cabinet, the Sena leadership won’t be able to prevent its cadres from being in touch with Rane. It would be interesting to see how Shiv Sena tackles the challenge.