Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'BJP and Sena need each other' that was published in Newsband

BJP and Sena need each other

After Shiv Sena pramukh Uddhav Thackeray was persuaded to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Devendra Fadnavis as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s first Chief Minister in Maharashtra, the two parties were expected to conclude a power-sharing agreement quickly. But the Sena was unwilling to give up its claim for the deputy chief ministership; it not only wanted at least a third of the ministerial berths, but also key portfolios. Thackeray is not ready to play the role of a junior partner for all time to come.

BJP does have the luxury of the “unconditional support” offered by the Nationalist Congress Party. But the fact that Fadnavis has retained a large number of portfolios, including home, urban development, housing and health, are indications of the national party’s readiness to keep the doors open for the Sena.

Sena is BJP’s natural ally. It's true that BJP managed to win a big number of seats this time without joining hands with Sena. But same might not be the case in the future Assembly elections in Maharashtra. In the future, like in the past, BJP might find the need of Sena and hence it would be wise on BJP’s part to keep the future in mind while dealing with Sena today.  

Sena knows too well that BJP can't approach NCP. If it does it undermines its own reputation and the leaders with clean image like Fadnavis. Ideologically, Sena is much closer to BJP and also given their alliance at Parliamentary and Municipality level.

Now BJP might be thinking of trying to get support from odd 20 independents for showing the majority. That might prove to be a good option but Sena will never forgive BJP if they are sidelined this time.

Actually, it is not fair to see BJP playing hard game with SS. BJP must take SS on board as SS always stayed with BJP even when the BJP was not in power. Siva Sena thought it was a dominant force in Maharashtra and so it behaved like big brother before election and did not prepare to allow BJP even 130 seats to contest. During the election campaigning, Shiv Sena spoke about Marathas, BJP about Hindutva. Sena was humbled by the BJP. The elections proved otherwise and the roles are revised. Sena is not able to reconcile to the present position. This is their own making. But BJP benefited much because of it alliance with Sena in the earlier period. BJP still needs the SS crutches in order to provide a stable government. NCP is not trustworthy. In the interest of providing stable government and support BJP got from Sena during their difficult period, BJP should try to accommodate Sena in such a way that the interest of both parties is taken care of.