Shiv Sena's Opposition card irks Congress, NCP

Mumbai: Shiv Sena’s efforts to position itself as an Opposition party by criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on almost every issue despite remaining in government seems to have worked.

Now, the BJP and even the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) consider the Sena as part of the Opposition. Party insiders believe that this stand could prove fruitful for the party as the Congress and NCP are still seeking credibility.

Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had been touring Western Maharashtra, where his party doesn’t have much of a footing, for two days.

Mr Thackeray slammed the BJP over the loan waiver scheme mess, among other things. He also met traders in Hatkanangale, Kolhapur and voiced his support for them in the face of their troubles with the goods and services tax. Mr Thackeray also threatened to walk out from government if it failed to address the people’s problems.

“Uddhavji knows that our real battle is with the BJP. Congress and NCP are too weak to take on the BJP. So, criticising the government on issues that are hurting people and distancing ourselves from the government’s failures is necessary,” said a two-time MLA of the party from Western Maharashtra.

Opposition leaders have come down heavily on the Sena for its tactics. NCP chief Sharad Pawar said, “The Sena need to decide first whether it is in power or not. You keep claiming (credit for) every decision and still criticise the government”.

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ashok Chavan also blasted the Sena for ‘doublespeak’. “The Sena doesn’t want to lose power, but at the same time doesn’t want to own up to the government’s failures. Its politics has been exposed now,” said Mr Chavan.

Anticipating this attack by the Opposition, Mr Thackeray already tried to clear his stand. “We are not power hungry. When this government stops working for the people’s interest, we will kick the power (sic),” Mr Thackeray said in Kolhapur on Friday.