Political circles were abuzz with the possibility of permutation and combinations of alliances in the state as statements made by Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi and NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal led to speculations. While Mr Bhujbal praised Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership, the former Lok Sabha speaker invited NCP chief Sharad Pawar to join the NDA and become the prime minister.
Wishing Mr Pawar on his birthday on Wednesday, Mr Joshi said, “Pawar is a big leader of Maharashtra. We also wish and pray that one day he becomes prime minister of the country. He must join the NDA if he wants to become the PM.”
Mr Joshi’s comments sent the NCP think-tank in a tizzy. The party immediately issued a statement that it will never join forces with “communal parties”.
“We thank Mr Joshi for wishing that Pawarsaheb becomes the PM. However, the NCP is a party with ideology. Mr Pawar and the NCP are secular entities. We can never join communal forces. For us, secularism is far bigger than power,” NCP spokespeson Nawab Malik said.
Ironically, on the same day, senior NCP leader Mr Bhujbal acknowledged Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership qualities, which are often questioned by Sena’s critics. While talking to reporters in Nagpur, Mr Bhujbal said it is premature to predict the Sena’s downfall.
“Any party needs one issue that clicks with common people. Even one issue is enough to turnaround fortunes of a political party. After Balasaheb’s death, Uddhav has not even started active participation in politics. We will have to wait and see. If Uddhav finds that one issue, Sena can turn tables. Sena won the BMC elections under his leadership,” Mr Bhujbal said.
Uddhav’s detractors cla-im that Uddhav not only lacks leadership qualities, but he also does not have charisma like his father or cousin Raj Thackeray.