Reluctant Uddhav to take charge finally!

Uddhav Thackeray was in two minds before accepting the responsibility of the office of Chief Minister. Uddhav has not accepted it publically, but Sanjay Raut has said so on his behalf.

Mumbai (Maharashtra): Unless something unexpected happens, it has now almost become certain that Uddhav Thackeray is going to be the next Chief Minister. He will take oath on 28th November 2019 (Thursday).

But ETV Bharat has learnt that, till very last, Uddhav was in two minds about taking over this responsibility. Finally, Sharad Pawar had to give an “order” to him to accept this post.

When the leaders of Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party and Congress met for the first time at Nehru Center last Friday, the issue of who would be the chief minister was discussed for a while. The Congress leaders from Delhi felt that the forthcoming government could not remain stable unless Uddhav is at the helm of affairs. Congress has two former chief ministers whereas the NCP has two former deputy chief ministers in its camp. Plus there are dozens of such former ministers in both these parties whose experience is far weightier than any of Sena's senior leaders. Hence the NCP also felt that Uddhav should take over the charge. Even while Uddhav remained non-commital in that meeting, Sharad Pawar came out of that meeting and announced that there had been a consensus that Uddhav should be our leader.

Uddhav did not accept it publically, but Sanjay Raut said so on his behalf. Perhaps Uddhav wanted to speak of his mind the next day. But, in the same night, Ajit Pawar crossed over to the other side throwing the state into a turmoil.

On Tuesday, after the resignation of Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis, the issue came up again. The leaders of all three parties met again. It transpired that, perhaps, Uddhav was not fully convinced about the idea of he became the chief minister. Then came the intervention from Sharad Pawar. He talked about his relationship with late Balasaheb Thackeray, father of Uddhav. Pawar said that though we were political adversaries, we were good friends. He also talked how Balasaheb would have been happy today had he been alive. And then he said, in a language which any Shiv Sainik understands easily, that it is his order that Uddhav should become a chief minister.

In the last three days, despite his own nephew rebelling against him, Sharad Pawar single-handedly ensured that all the three parties remain together. And he also showed that the NCP is firmly behind him and, in turn, he is firmly behind Uddhav and his Sena.

On this backdrop, it was impossible for Uddhav to say no to his order. So, then, finally, he accepted and later it was announced to the press that he has been unanimously elected the leader of Maha Vikas Aghadi ( the new front of three parties).

But why was Uddhav not very keen to accept the otherwise most coveted post?

For three or four reasons.

• Traditionally, Thackerays like to control the state of affairs from a certain distance. In a way, they find this idea of enjoying power without responsibility very attractive. Balasaheb said that he would not enter electoral politics. And he never did. He was always happy to control the affairs either in the party or in his own government remotely. (Balasaheb would always say that remote control of the government is in my hand.) Uddhav (and also Raj) followed Balasaheb's path in this respect up till now. Clearly Uddhav would have been much happier carrying on the same role.
• The three parties which are coming together have very few things in common. Ideologically they are poles apart. The Congress has strong reservations about Thackerays and Sena. Sena has vehemently criticised both Sonia and Rahul in the past. Clearly the upcoming government would be standing on shaky ground. To preside over such a government and face the BJP as the opposition is not going to be an easy job. Uddhav knows is very well.
• Uddhav does not have any administrative experience of any kind. Even Devendra Fadnavis, who is an MBA and who had had a solid backing of Modi and Shah from Delhi, faced a lot of difficulties taming the bureaucracy in the state till last. Uddhav foresees a similar or worse experience which he is not prepared for.
• Uddhav has some health issues. He had undergone an angiography in 2016. Since then his activities have been somewhat limited and his family worries for his health the most. As it is he is not seen to be a very tough guy.

But why did he accept it finally?

• As said earlier he could not say no to Pawar at this juncture.
• He must also be banking on a lot of advice and support coming from Pawar, who, at least for now, seems to be in a mood to back Sena wholeheartedly.
• It would not have been easy for him to select a candidate for CM's post from his own party. The old guard in Shiv Sena does not like the growing influence of Eknath Shinde, who is comparatively from the younger lot. On the other hand, none of the leaders from older generations has the capability and stature to lead even a single-party government, leave alone a coalition government.

Fifty-one years ago when Balasaheb formed Shiv Sena he said that the (electoral) politics is a very disgusting disease and he will not get into it. His grandson Aditya has already got into it by being an MLA in this year's assembly elections. Now Uddhav will also enter it.