Shiv Sena faces identity problem at 44th anniversary

On its 44th anniversary today, the Shiv Sena is, due to its successive electoral defeats, at a crossroads. The Tiger's roar no more creates terror, having been mellowed after its very existence was challenged by Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s estranged nephew, Raj Thackeray, who left the party to float the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.

The party is unable to decide whether or not to revive its image of being a militant Hindu party or be a party effectively protecting the interests of the Marathi manoos.

A senior Sena leader, who did not want to be named, told Business Standard: “From its transition of being a social organisation to a militant political outfit, the party has seen many ups and downs. Despite several odds, the party has not only survived but grown from strength to strength. However, the situation changed drastically after the Sena-BJP alliance failed to retain power in 1999. Thereafter, it failed to unseat the Congress-NCP combine even in 2004 and 2009.”

He admitted that the MNS, whose formation was ridiculed, had eaten into traditional Sena votes and, at times, had outsmarted the party on the Marathi manoos issue.

Clearly, the party is finding it difficult to digest the MNS’ existence and nor is was prepared to amend its functioning. Thackeray tried in vain to steal the Marathi card when he openly snubbed cricket sensation Sachin Tendulkar and Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani for their comments on Mumbai being for all Indians. Subsequently, the party launched an aggressive campaign against Shah Rukh Khan for his defending the Pakistani cricket team.