Thackerays Backing For Seshan Takes Sena Leaders By Surprise

Why did the Shiv Sena sponsor T N Seshan as its candidate for the Presidential election on July 14? In view of the partys minuscle strength in the electoral college, the question has perplexed not only many in political circles, but also within the Shiv Sena.

But the ethos of the party being what it is, none of the Shiv Sena leaders are questioning the decision of supremo Bal Thackeray. It is clear that the decision to field Seshan was his alone, and none of the party leaders were consulted.

The sense of surprise is all the more because Thackeray had strongly criticised Seshan in his incarnation as the Chief Election Commissioner, particularly on the issue of implementing the model code of conduct.

The only precaution Thackeray took before extending the partys support to Seshan was to take an assurance that he would not withdraw after filing nomination, Shiv Sena sources said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Manohar Joshi, who was in the Capital for discussions on the ninth plan, yesterday said Seshan would meet the same fate as all good men face.

When asked if it meant that Seshan will lose, Joshi remarked: You are saying that, not me.

Thackeray did not consult the partys alliance partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party, before announcing the decision, something the BJP leaders are not happy about.

Moreover, Thackeray announced his decision to field Seshan before the BJP arrived at a decision in the partys parliamentary board. Seshan had approached the BJP also for support.

A senior leader from Maharashtra said the decision reflected the highly individualistic way of Thackerays functioning. Both Thackeray and Seshan share the same traits and the mental frame

. Perhaps that influenced Thackeray to field him, he remarked.

According to him, the decision had nothing to do with the (flawed) perception that the Shiv Sena is a party of the middle-class, and that Seshan had become popular in this class during his tenure in the Election Commission. He said the Shiv Sena may have started as a party appealing to middle-class Maharashtrians in the 1960s, but it has now become a mass-based party, reflected in its hold on various labour unions.

Indeed, he said the middle-class in Mumbai were none too appreciative of Seshans manner of functioning in the election commission, particularly his frequent tiffs with the two election commissioners.

Yesterday was the last date of withdrawal of nominations, and according to returning officer S Gopalan, only Seshan and K Narayanan are in the fray.