Former Chief Minister and BJP leader Narayan Rane on Sunday made a sensational claim that as many as 35 out of 65 ruling Shiv Sena MLAs were “unhappy” with Sena president Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership and indicated that these disgruntled MLAs might switch over to his party leading to change in Government in the State.
Talking to media persons on the sidelines of a function at Thane, Rane — a long-time bête noire of Uddhav — hinted at the possibility of the BJP coming back to power in the state with the support of the support of the “disgruntled” Shiv Sena MLAs.
“Thirty five of 65 Shiv Sena MLAs are unhappy with Uddhav Thackeray... The BJP has 105 MLAs, while 35 Sena MLAs are unhappy,” Rane said, thus indicating these “disgruntled” MLAs would switch sides and help the BJP muster numbers to form a Government in the State.
Rane’s claim should be seen in the light of theoretical possibility that with the addition of 35 MLAs, the BJP’s strength will go up to 140, five MLAs short of a simple majority of 145 in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly which is not difficult to muster.
Though there is some resentment within the Shiv Sena over the denial of ministerial berths, there are not many takers for Rane’s claim for three reasons. First, the figure of disgruntled Sena MLAs suggested by Rane is unbelievably high. Secondly, Rane is known for making tall claims which have in the past fallen flat on his face. Thirdly, the Sena leadership is in the process of keeping its disgruntled MLAs in good humour through chairmanships of state-run corporations.
Looking from a different perspective, is Rane’s claim that 35 Sena MLAs might switch sides an indication that the BJP intends to undertake Operation “Kamala” in the State?
Rane, meanwhile, charged that Uddhav had absolutely no idea on how to run a Government. “Since he does not know how to run a Government, people are not expecting anything from the MVA Government. It took him (Uddhav) five weeks to form a government. From this, you can gauge his ability or otherwise to run a Government”.
Rane, who is currently a Rajya Sabha MP, said that Uddhav had failed to implement his promise of farm loan waiver. “We do not know as to when farm loan waiver decision will be implemented. When the Chief Minister went to Marathwada recently, people there expected him to come out with a development package for the region. He returned without announcing any package or financial relief to the region. That speaks for itself how things are moving in the new Government”.
When his attention was drawn to the recent meeting between former chief minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis and MNS chief Raj Thackeray and if there was a possibility of a tie-up between the two parties, Rane evaded a direct reply and said: “On this ( the issue of a possible alliance between the two parties), senior BJP leaders will speak”.