The Shiv Sena (UBT) boycotted the meeting of opposition leaders held in Delhi on Monday, citing the criticism of Savarkar by Rahul Gandhi as the reason. In fact, in the editorial of party mouthpiece Saamana, the Uddhav Thackeray faction sharply criticised the Gandhi scion for his statement ‘I am not Savarkar to apologise, I am Gandhi’.
The editorial paid a glowing tribute to Savarkar’s patriotism and advised the disqualified Congress leader not to criticise Savarkar anymore.
Just a day earlier, former chief minister Uddhav in his rally at Malegaon, reiterated his party’s love for the Hindutva ideologue who has become a polarising figure in Indian political discourse. “Savarkar is like God for us. We will not tolerate insult of our God. We are trying to come together to defeat the autocratic forces. I want to tell Rahul Gandhi that he should not rake up this issue when we are trying to come together,” Uddhav said at Malegaon on Sunday.
Uddhav’s criticism of Rahul and Congress over the issue of Savarkar was played down by Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) chief Nana Patole by stating that Savarkar was not part of the common minimum programme on which three parties—Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP and Congress—have come together in Maharashtra.
Even as Patole tried to play down the controversy, state BJP president Chandrashekhar Bavankule challenged Uddhav to walk the talk and quit MVA if he felt the slightest love for Savarkar. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde went a step further and asked Uddhav whether he would ask his followers to slap Rahul’s photos with shoes and sandals, just like late Balasaheb Thackeray had ordered in case of Mani Shankar Aiyar when Aiyar had launched a blistering attack on Savarkar in 2004. To corner Uddhav further, CM Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis announced that their karyakartas will take out a ‘Savarkar Gourav Yatra’ across Maharashtra in the coming days. This yatra, said Fadnavis, will travel in every assembly constituency, taluk and district in the state. The yatra will protest against remarks made by Rahul and highlight the patriotic and social development work done by Savarkar in his life, informed Fadnavis.
In such a situation what will Uddhav do if Rahul continues to attack Savarkar? The first option that is being explored is that party MP and editor of Saamana, Sanjay Raut will meet Rahul and explain to him the importance of not attacking Savarkar in the context of Maharashtra. Raut had participated in Rahul’s Bharat Jodo Yatra and is perhaps the strongest votary of the MVA alliance within Shiv Sena (UBT). Being a member of parliament, he has a certain rapport with Congress leaders in Delhi and can get a meeting with Rahul to discuss the issue, said Shiv Sena insiders.
Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Prof Manisha Kayande said that Raut is likely to meet Rahul in Delhi and explain Shiv Sena’s stand. “Raut has said it himself that he will take the initiative. That is the latest information that I have,” Kayande said.
Another option on the table is a direct telephonic conversation between Uddhav / Aditya Thackeray and Rahul Gandhi on the issue. The main agenda in this option will be to discuss opposition unity against BJP and the need to keep issues like Savarkar on the backburner to achieve the main aim of a united opposition ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections. “Our stance on Veer Savarkar has been consistent. Uddhavji made it clear in his Malegaon speech also. Now it is for the Congress leaders in the state to tell Rahul [Gandhi] that his statements are hurting opposition unity efforts in Maharashtra. If a conversation is arranged, Uddhavji will happily explain to Rahul not just Shiv Sena's stand on Savarkar but entire life story on Savarkar and his contribution to patriotism,” said a close aide of Uddhav.
Senior political analyst Abhay Deshpande said that the difference of opinion between Uddhav’s Sena and Rahul Gandhi on Savarkar issue won’t reach a level where Uddhav will have to explore exit clause from MVA. “Aditya has very clearly said that when Sena had an alliance with the BJP it did not agree with every decision of the BJP. He cited example of BJP’s alliance with Mehbooba Mufti in Jammu and Kashmir. This is a clear indication that leaders from both sides will diffuse the tension on the issue of Savarkar. Only thing is Uddhav will have to do a very fine balancing act now that he has been cornered by Shinde and Fadnavis. How long and how well he does it remains to be seen because at this time Uddhav Thackeray can ill afford to quit MVA alliance,” said Deshpande.
