Moral, political & ideological questions on Maharashtra: 1st is simplest to answer, 3rd trickiest

In this week’s #NationalInterest, ThePrint Editor-In-Chief explains what is Shiv Sena’s ideology? We might say it’s been a convenient mix of extreme ethnic chauvinism & unforgiving Hindutva. Within the second, the party retained space to manoeuvre.

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[joelxavier]

Balasahab was Godfather times x100

His son however is a spoil from that perspective "Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times"

[sujitdeshpande]

"Ran a good government by Maha standard". I can't believe you have said that. Two ministers in jail, including Home minister, highest number of Covid cases, disgraced head of Police. Brutal crackdown on State Transport union and so on. What is the 'Maharashtra Standard' you think is?

[sandeepa]

MVA survived this long because of only one reason, Covid19. They would have collapsed long back if covid19 didn't happen.
It would have been shameful for BJP if they toppled this govt during the pandemic and that's the only reason they waited this long.

[mohitthakur]

It’s hypocrisy when Uddhav is crying about betrayal when in 2019 he betrayed the people of Maharashtra by choosing to roll over to the Congress/NCP.

[trivikramkamath]

The smile on Sadhu at palghar before he was butchered still haunts me.

[anindyokamalsen]

SG Sir's personal accounts; be it his time in Israel smack-dab in the middle of war or his bizarre experience with the Pakistani intelligence in Larkana or his candid conversation with Balasaheb never cease to amaze me. How can a single man have so many fascinating stories to tell?! Always an extreme delight to hear them.

[cjmech]

In india, secularism depends on the perspective.
And in my perspective i would describe it as, "As long as 'one' minority is allowed to harass and kill others, the state/person is secular"

[abhay_cs]

Wonderful episode. Shekhar does the best job. None of the left liberal commentariat Wire, Newslaundry, has the remotest honesty on this issue. And most issues, to be honest.

[KshitijBhambri]

This whole Maharashtra Episode proves that when a party try to become more "civilized" sensible rather than believing in "Hardcore Brute Politics" the Indian public doesn't like it. Examples:
1. Shivsena was bigger partner than BJP when it was more hard liner than BJP.
2.When the BJP was more civilized in Atal-Advani era they voted them but not as much as they do for Modi-Shah.
3. Congress under Indira and Sanjay Gandhi era was a much stronger party then during Sonia and Rahul Gandhi era.
Just imagine Atal-Advani vs Rahul-Sonia(Close Contest)
And Modi Shah vs Indira-Sanjay(Very Close Contest)

[shubhambiswas]

If MVA was secular, then dictionary must have switched the word with appeasement. You should do a national interest episode on this.

[familyjnr]

No questions (Moral, Ideological or Political) from SG, when MVA formed the Government in 2019.

[moko]

Shekar Ji, during the last election, people voted for BJP and SS combine . People felt cheated when they did not form the Govt. MVA Govt was a disaster and thank God it packed off. For eg, they stalled Metro work which has caused lot of distress. Think and analyse keeping citizens in mind and don’t analyse only from Politicians view point

[_kartik_chauhan]

Its Truth
BJP is a more well balanced machinery than SS

[GururajBN]

Good one. The point is that Uddhav Thackeray lacked the sagacity of his father. He ought not to have treated BJP as the enemy. Politicians routinely fight in the public and embrace in private. Secondly he sat on too high a pedestal and alienated his MLAs.

[rajeshtanwar]

SG Sir,
This is a really good and insightful analysis of internal Shiv Sena dynamics and your candid interview with Late Balasaheb Thakre.

[rishabh.jesani]

The MVA was pure disgrace for the people of Maharashtra!

[artis]

I just love when Secular parties work hard to keep BJP out of power for the heck of it.. it makes me stand with BJP even more staunchly.

[msn]

One thing missing in Indian politics is "service to people" who voted for you.

[sb-ltwp]

SG Sir, there are lot of 'convenient omissions' when doing the analysis. When you mention Thackerays 'ENJOYING POWER', do you refer to blatant MISUSE of POWER - Kanagana Ranaut, Arnab Goswami, Police Commissioner saga, Nawab Malik & Deshmukh (HM) issue and multiple such scenarious (which I am not sure you have ever criticized conveniently ? ). Ofcourse the 100 Crore issue - is it not extortion money which means continuing with the 'tradition' as you referred to your analysis ?

[mehul_gujju]

"He (Udhdhav) was running quite competitive govt ? "
Really? That sums it all.