The BJP leading the NDA must have considerable satisfaction at having brought the Shiv Sena around this time again as an ally for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, which would be followed by state assembly elections in Maharashtra. The “honourable” seat-sharing arrangement agreed upon by the two sides comes after a period of suspense when the Sena leadership was seen giving several pin-pricks to the BJP and specially to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, even going to the extent of screaming, “Chowkidar Chor Hai,” vis-a-vis the Rafale deal. Clearly, as the new seat-sharing pact was signed this week, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray looks like a tamed tiger.
In a way, the Shiv Sena had no other go. The NCP of Sharad Pawar edged closer to the Congress and Pawar was increasingly being seen in the company of anti-BJP opposition figures. Together, the NCP and the Congress are capable of putting up a good show in the Lok Sabha polls in the state as also in the assembly polls that too are just a few months away.
Notably, the new pact between the Sena and the BJP comes close on the heels of a similar re-affirmation of NDA ties in Tamil Nadu, where the ruling AIADMK is currently calling the shots. The rival DMK and the Congress are allies, and a close fight between the UPA and the NDA is expected in the southern state. While actor Rajinikant is not entering politics right now and postponed his plans up until the next assembly polls in 2022, chances are also that his fans might side with the BJP for the reason that the matinee idol has a personal liking for PM Modi. Another actor, Kamal Haasan, too is testing the political waters, and might make a difference to the polls this time. The DMK being in a strong position may have an edge, overall, in the state.
The BJP has reason to feel comfortable also for the reason that it has finalised a fresh pact with the JDU of Nitish Kumar in Bihar. The scenario may not be all that rosy for the BJP in Bihar. NDA partner SAD in Punjab too is bound to stand by the BJP. With Shiv Sena and other NDA allies standing firmly with the BJP, except for the TDP of Chandrababu Naidu, PM Modi and the BJP can breathe a little easy now.
