BJP wants a share of saffron pie in Dadar
Party tries to use RSS connections to boost presence in Maharashtrian area, but Sena and MNS not amused.
Taking both ally Shiv Sena and the MNS by surprise, the BJP has quietly set in motion its plan to establish its foothold in Dadar, a traditional stronghold of the two Senas.
Two recent developments have given ample proof that the BJP not only wants to make inroads but also contest future elections from Dadar, once a Shiv Sena stronghold which is now under the MNS’s control.
The second, more important development came on Sunday, when a top-ranking national leader of the BJP presided over a “reunion” of party workers from Dadar, when in reality the party doesn’t even have an office in the area, leave alone active grassroots-level workers.
Local BJP sources said the RSS has a lot of backing in the area, but this block always voted for the Sena as there was no BJP presence on ground. They said the party wanted to change this and bring the saffron sympathisers into the BJP fold.
The Sena, understandably, is upset. Its leaders think the BJP’s entry will queer the pitch and make Dadar a three-way battle, a prospect it does not relish, having already ceded primacy to rival MNS. But the BJP is bent on strengthening its base and even contesting future elections, starting from the corporation level. It has even started a membership drive, banking on the Modi wave.
When Mirror contacted BJP joint-secretary V Satish, he confirmed holding the meeting but refused further comment. Dadar has historically voted Shiv Sena, before the MNS wrested it in 2009. Currently, all six sitting corporators and the lone legislator are from the MNS, and the Shiv Sena is desperate to win the area back.
Yuva Sena leader Samadhan Sarvankar, who is aspiring for the Dadar assembly seat, said Maharashtrian people will vote only for the Sena. “The BJP may try their tricks, but they will not succeed since people only believe in the ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray.”
But his party leaders are not so confident and believe that the BJP’s strategy is for the long term and may even pay off. The Sena is worried it won’t be long before the BJP demands seats for the corporation.
“The BJP always had few workers here, but Dadar has been a Shiv Sena bastion since it was formed in the 1960s,” said a local Sena leader. “It doesn’t even contest corporation elections from Dadar. So Sunday’s meeting is significant and we will have to discuss the issue with our top brass.”
Shelar conceded that his party has to work aggressively to expand its footprint in the city and the Dadar moves were part of it. An MLC, he is likely to contest the upcoming assembly elections from Bandra.
“Our local workers told me they wanted paver blocks installed so I got that work done,” said Shelar. “We are trying to improve our network and gain ground in all areas including Dadar. It is true that we don’t have much presence there now but we have got a lot of response from local residents. We are enrolling new members but we are not doing this to hurt any of our allies.”
Taking both ally Shiv Sena and the MNS by surprise, the BJP has quietly set in motion its plan to establish its foothold in Dadar, a traditional stronghold of the two Senas.
Two recent developments have given ample proof that the BJP not only wants to make inroads but also contest future elections from Dadar, once a Shiv Sena stronghold which is now under the MNS’s control.
The first came on Dahi Handi day, with BJP’s Mumbai president Ashish Shelar sanctioned Rs 10 lakh from his MLC fund to install paver blocks in a housing society in a Brahmin pocket of Prabadevi. Shelar has promised to spend more.
The second, more important development came on Sunday, when a top-ranking national leader of the BJP presided over a “reunion” of party workers from Dadar, when in reality the party doesn’t even have an office in the area, leave alone active grassroots-level workers.
Local BJP sources said the RSS has a lot of backing in the area, but this block always voted for the Sena as there was no BJP presence on ground. They said the party wanted to change this and bring the saffron sympathisers into the BJP fold.
The Sena, understandably, is upset. Its leaders think the BJP’s entry will queer the pitch and make Dadar a three-way battle, a prospect it does not relish, having already ceded primacy to rival MNS. But the BJP is bent on strengthening its base and even contesting future elections, starting from the corporation level. It has even started a membership drive, banking on the Modi wave.
When Mirror contacted BJP joint-secretary V Satish, he confirmed holding the meeting but refused further comment. Dadar has historically voted Shiv Sena, before the MNS wrested it in 2009. Currently, all six sitting corporators and the lone legislator are from the MNS, and the Shiv Sena is desperate to win the area back.
Yuva Sena leader Samadhan Sarvankar, who is aspiring for the Dadar assembly seat, said Maharashtrian people will vote only for the Sena. “The BJP may try their tricks, but they will not succeed since people only believe in the ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray.”
But his party leaders are not so confident and believe that the BJP’s strategy is for the long term and may even pay off. The Sena is worried it won’t be long before the BJP demands seats for the corporation.
“The BJP always had few workers here, but Dadar has been a Shiv Sena bastion since it was formed in the 1960s,” said a local Sena leader. “It doesn’t even contest corporation elections from Dadar. So Sunday’s meeting is significant and we will have to discuss the issue with our top brass.”
Shelar conceded that his party has to work aggressively to expand its footprint in the city and the Dadar moves were part of it. An MLC, he is likely to contest the upcoming assembly elections from Bandra.
“Our local workers told me they wanted paver blocks installed so I got that work done,” said Shelar. “We are trying to improve our network and gain ground in all areas including Dadar. It is true that we don’t have much presence there now but we have got a lot of response from local residents. We are enrolling new members but we are not doing this to hurt any of our allies.”
