NEW DELHI: Four years after a dramatic split turned the Shiv Sena into two rival camps locked in a bitter political battle, leaders from both sides now appear to be finding common ground on one issue: the BJP.Interestingly, the very factor that contributed to the Sena’s split, its relationship with the BJP, is now emerging as a reason for calls to reunite. Senior leaders from the factions led by Uddhav Thackeray and deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde have suggested that the bigger challenge facing them is no longer each other, but the BJP’s growing dominance in Maharashtra politics.At least two senior leaders from both the rival Shiv Sena factions have publicly backed the idea of a reunion between the camps led by Shinde and Thackeray, arguing that the BJP poses an existential threat to both parties, as per news agency PTI.The remarks came from Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve and senior Shiv Sena leader Abdul Sattar, who suggested that the time may be right for the estranged factions to come together nearly four years after the party’s split.Responding to a question on whether the two factions should reunite, Danve said, “I feel so on several occasions. But there is no point in my alone wanting it.”Sattar echoed the sentiment, saying, “This is the time to unite.”
Leaders point to BJP’s growing dominance
Danve argued that the BJP is systematically weakening its regional allies, including both the Shiv Sena and the NCP.“A big fish swallows small fish. The BJP is doing the same with the NCP and Shiv Sena,” he said, according to PTI.He further claimed that the BJP views the Shiv Sena as an enemy rather than merely a political rival.“The BJP’s target is to finish off the Shiv Sena because it considers the party as an enemy, not just an opponent,” Danve said, adding that those who broke away from the undivided Sena should now be realising this.The Sena (UBT) leader also contended that the BJP is working to politically weaken the Shinde-led Shiv Sena as well.Sattar, meanwhile, remarked that there was little point in seeking unity if “our elder brother is finishing us off,” referring to the BJP, which is currently allied with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena in both Maharashtra and at the Centre.
‘If Shinde agrees, there will be no delay’
When asked directly whether the two Shiv Sena factions should come together, Sattar answered in the affirmative.He said a reunion could happen quickly if Shinde supports the idea.“If deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde says the two parties should come together, then there will be no delay in implementation,” Sattar said.The comments are significant given the political history of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, formerly Aurangabad, which was once considered a stronghold of the undivided Shiv Sena before the 2022 split engineered by Shinde.
Aurangabad-Jalna contest highlights changing equations
According to PTI, leaders from both factions pointed to the BJP’s growing footprint in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district and across Maharashtra.The undivided Shiv Sena once controlled the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation and the Zilla Parishad, but both civic bodies are now under BJP control.Danve noted that the ruling Shiv Sena has struggled to retain seats it traditionally contested, citing the upcoming Aurangabad-Jalna local bodies constituency election as an example.“The undivided Shiv Sena used to contest these seats for the last 25-30 years,” he said.The BJP has fielded its own candidate in the constituency, a move seen by some leaders as evidence of the changing balance of power within the alliance.Sattar also warned about the fate of regional parties that were once allied with the BJP, citing West Bengal’s ruling party. “However, the Shiv Sena will never meet Mamata Banerjee’s fate because it is headed by a leader like Shinde,” he said.