Thackeray steps in to revive Sena

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray (83) has returned to active politics to breathe life into his party, which is losing its foothold in the state, reports Rajendra Aklekar.

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray (83) has returned to active politics to breathe life into his party, which is losing its foothold in the state.

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Thackeray, who has been in poor health, has started looking into his 44-year-old party’s affairs after the Sena delivered its worst performance in two decades in the recently held Assembly polls.

On Monday, Thackeray senior was seen mingling with corporators and party leaders, and even posing for photographs with those present at a function to celebrate the Sena’s victory in the legislative council polls.

Party sources said he now intends to interact with party MPs and middle-level functionaries, including legislators and corporators, every fortnight at the Sena Bhavan.

Sena activists said Thackeray is trying to re-establish a rapport with the party’s middle-level leaders.

The strategy was worked out by the Sena founder himself after a five-day stay at Mahabaleshwar, where he was accompanied by his son Uddhav.

Thackeray announced his retirement in 2005, making way for his son and by-passing his nephew Raj Thackeray. In the last four years, the party has seen two splits - by Narayan Rane and Raj Thackeray – from which it has not recovered. To make matters worse, Uddhav has not put up an impressive show – neither with his own party members, nor the alliance BJP, nor the Marathi manoos.

“Winning the civic elections in early 2012 is crucial. If we lose it, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena will gain more ground. The only person who can come up with a winning strategy is Balasaheb so he has stepped in,” said a senior Sena leader.