by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
RSS stepped in to resolve Maharashtra political crisis
Harish Gupta
New Delhi, Nov 6
The RSS has finally stepped in to resolve the political crisis engulfing the state for the past ten days. If sources in the Sangh Parivar are to be believed, the RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat may speak to Sena Chief Uddhav Thacheray in order to resolve the stand-off between the two parties.
The process of RSS intervention began with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis touching base with Road Transport & MSMEs minister Nitin Gadkari two days ago. Both the leaders gave no clue as to what transpired between them. But it is presumed that Fadnavis wanted Gadkari to intervene in the political crisis as he has good relations with Sena leadership too.
It was following this meeting that Fadnavis went to Nagpur to meet the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to apprise him of the developing political situation.It may be informed that the BJP-Sena seat sharing deal was clinched before the May Lok Sabha polls with efforts of Mohan Bhagwat. The BJP conceded as many as 23 Lok Sabha seats to Sena and climbed down a bit.
These sources say that Mohan Bhagwat is extremely busy with the Ram Temple issue as the Supreme Court judgment is expected anytime between November 11-13. Shiv Sena has been part of the long struggle for the Ram Temple movement and integral part of the Parivar.
Therefore, the RSS chief is may make an effort to resolve the crisis and also impress on the BJP to be magnanimous in any power sharing arrangement. He wants political tempers to cool down as big Ram Temple issue will come up next week.
The Sena's position also has become somewhat may awkward after NCP Chief Sharad Pawar had withdrawn from the BJP-Sena infighting saying the NCP-Congress have the mandate to sit in the Opposition.
The change in tune came after Congress president Sonia Gandhi stood firm in telling Sharad Pawar that her party would find it difficult to support Sena led government from inside or outside. In view of these developments, the prospects of resolution of crisis may be on the radar.
Ends
