Eye on civic polls, Marathi Manoos priority for Sena, MNS

Not so long ago, the Raj Thackeray-led party strongly voiced its criticism against the museum’s alleged plans to use a playground adjacent to the old structure for the museum’s extension plans, stating that the ground is used by local Byculla residents’ kids. Their protests against a Fashion Week’s grand finale being conducted in the museum even forced organisers to look for an alternative venue at the last minute. Not surprisingly, the MNS got the support of the Shiv Sena in agitating against the show.

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These are only a few of the rising number of instances where both Senas have raked up the ‘Marathi Manoos’ issue in recent months. Apparently, with the 2017 municipal elections drawing closer, every proposal coming to the corporators’ forum is being scrutinised to target their sons of the soil agenda and their Marathi vote-bank.

In one instance, while the Bombay High Court (HC) had slammed BMC for not creating a proposal to supply water to illegal slums in the city, the Sena and MNS have opposed a draft proposal on the same in the standing committee meeting stating the illegal slumdwellers in Mumbai are from the northern states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

The leaders also asked the administration to take a tougher stand against the slum dwellers by demolishing the illegal structures in the city. “From the time we started the party, our motive is to fight for Marathi Manoos, the true citizens of this city. People may call it a cosmopolitan city, but only Maharashtrians have fought to establish this city. We will not let people from outside live illegally, and that too, with benefits. We might win or lose in elections, but our stand remains the same,” Deshpande added.

Political analyst Venkatesh Kumar attributes the parties’ agendas to “lack of alternative politics”.

“While the BJP created a huge political wave in both the major elections, both Sena and MNS are still stuck on these small issues and continue to be narrow-minded. Though MNS did well in the beginning, it was routed very badly and this is a perfect example of trying to gain its strength back,” said Kumar.

In another instance, the Shiv Sena, the party that controls the corporation, also chose to extend the period during which residents of houses less than 500 square feet in South Mumbai are not yet assessed under the capital value-based system of assessing property tax.

The move was apparently targeted at the largely Maharashtrian residents of some South Mumbai areas. Sena leaders said candidly that Marathi people living in erstwhile BDD chawls, Kalbadevi, Girgaum and other areas should get lifelong exemption from paying property tax under the new system.

Originally, residents of these areas were exempted from being assessed under the new system for only five years, when the BMC shifted from rateable value-based assessment to capital value-based assessment in 2010. The rateable value is the notional rent earning capacity of a property, which has kept property taxes in these areas artificially low owing to rent control.

Trushna Vishwasrao, senior Sena leader said, “Supporting Marathi Manoos has always been our agenda and will continue to do the same. We will not let any external factors limit our cause. Elections, of course, are important, but our efforts to fight for them will continue forever.” Vishwasrao had moved the amendment demanding extension for the property tax assessees in early March.

“The Sena is very threatened and uncomfortable with the current power sharing with BJP. It wants to achieve similar success, but lacks bigger agendas. It is still indulging in competitor politics with the MNS,” Kumar added.

Sources say that the Sena’s tougher stand could be attributed to a likely solo appearance in the coming elections, without the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Though allies in the corporation and the state level, frictions between the parties have been evident since the time the government was formed.

Sena insiders say that the party can absolutely not afford to lose the cash-rich BMC to the BJP that is now basking in its recent victories and is looking forward to repeat the wave in the 2017 civic elections.

The BJP, on its part, is joining the “cultural debate” in its own way. It recently opposed a policy permitting rooftop restaurants though the idea was supported by the Sena. Aaditya Thackeray’s brain-child, the policy was opposed by senior BJP leaders who claimed that such a concept is against Indian culture. Allowing restaurants to serve food and liquor will “violate the fabric” of traditional locales like Dadar and Mahim, the leaders maintained.

tanushree.venkatraman@expressindia.com