Rickshaw permit diktat: Sena is just playing the Marathi card

Shiv Sena wants to appear as a protector of Marathis because it wants to consolidate its vote bank in the run-up the civic polls

The Shiv Sena seems to be determined to project itself as a protector of Marathi manoos in Greater Mumbai ahead of civic body polls slated for February 2017. 

After strong opposition to the meat ban sale targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for "playing divisive politics between Marathis and Gujaratis", Shiv Sena has stirred another row by declaring that one lakh new autorickshaw permits for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) will be given only to those who speak Marathi.

As per the data available for 2012-13 with the state transport department, there are 352,000 autorickshaws across Maharashtra, of which 250,000 are in Grater Mumbai alone. 

According to position parties, the diktat by Sena's Diwakar Raote is politically motivated with an eye on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)  elections.

The upcoming election will be the first civic body poll to be fought in the absence of Bal Thackeray. While BJP has succeeded in its projection as an ardent advocate of Hindutva and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Hindu Hruday Samrat after Thackeray's death, Shiv Sena wants to play the Marathi card.

A Shiv Sena legislator, who did not want to be identified, defended  Raote's decision saying the timing of the diktat is quite crucial as it is to counter BJP's plans to consolidate its traditional vote bank comprising Gujaratis, Marwaris and those from northern India.
 

Shiv Sena, which is a junior partner in the BJP-led government at the Centre and in Maharashtra, is yet to forget BJP's emergence as a big winner relegating the former to the number two slot in Greater Mumbai. Of the 36 assembly seats, BJP won 15, while Sena won 14. 

Incidentally, Raote 's explanation was quite simple that the rule exists but was never strictly implemented in the past.

The city autorickshaw union office-bearers say they do not see anything new in Raote's directive. According to the rule, it is binding on the applicant for rickshaw permit to know the local language and submit domicile certificate as per the provisions of the Motor Vehicle rules. 

Mumbai city unit president and former Shivsainik Sanjay Nirupam has alleged that Shiv Sena is indulging in divisive politics and its move would be opposed. On the other hand, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said Shiv Sena fears that Maharashtra Navnirman Sena may upstage its by taking up the Marathi card.

Political analyst Prakash Akolkar says Shiv Sena and BJP are engaged in posturing in the run-up to the BMC election. ''Shiv Sena wants to convey to BJP that it should not be taken for a ride. The saffron party will therefore resort to emotional issues instead of development plank,'' he notes.