Decoding Vidhan Sabha Results

Vidhan Sabha result for 2014 were declared on 19^th October. Regime change, as expected, is about to happen. It’s just the manner in which things took place in the end was not at all satisfying as a Marathi Voter.

Ruling Congress-NCP were reduced to 42 & 41 respectively. The alliance of ShivSena-BJP and other small parties known as Mahayuti was expected to come to power. But in a complete surprise, BJP who broke the alliance came out to be largest party with 122 seats. Whereas ShivSena got 63 seats. The biggest setback in this result was Maharashtra Navnirman Sena was reduced to mere 1 seat while Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen, who contested for the first time, won 3 seats. Let’s get into a bit detail of this historic election result.

Breakup Yuti

The 25 year long alliance between Shiv Sena & BJP was broken on seat sharing issue for mere 2-3 seats and both decided to go into polls, for the 1^st time in over two decades, on their own. This event, though, did not happen in a fortnight. Post Lok Sabha result, BJP was trying to flex its muscles in all states by banking on the Modi wave. After LS result, Narendra Modi elevated his right hand man Amit Shah for top post of BJP. By this, he fully controlled the government as well as the party organization. Immediately after the LS polls, there were certain By-Polls on assembly seats in North India. In these, BJP performance was average. Modi being the PM wasn’t there for campaigning. Hence all these were fought under the leadership of Amit Shah. The result had some impact on his credibility to lead the organization which was at all-time high after winning 72 seats for the party in Uttar Pradesh of the possible 80 and getting full majority in LS with 282 seats. Hence Maharashtra & Haryana polls was an acid test for the partys Modi Wave and a matter of prestige for Amit Shah to cement his position as the Top Leader.

Fake Sympathy

I did explain in one of my previous write up how Shah had asked his party members to target Mumbai and take it from the hands of Shiv Sena. As he who holds the key to rule Mumbai, rules Maharashtra. So the seat sharing meeting were just a façade. They were just looking for an appropriate time to break the alliance, get public sympathy and go alone in the polls with PM Narendra Modi as their star campaigner. There are in total 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra. Now, BJP broke alliance with the Shiv Sena on 25^th of September. 27^th was the last day to fill up the nomination forms of the candidates. If BJP leaders were saying that they tried till the end to reach up for an arrangement and it all happened all of a sudden. Then within a day they got candidates for all 288 seats? Isn’t that a Guiness Book record achievement, incase a criteria is allotted for such event? Every party has to give ‘A’ form & ‘B’ form to its candidates which are to be filled with the election commission in order to be the official party candidate. So if the events happened all of a sudden, in a day the party distributed those forms to all candidates throughout Maharashtra? Immediately after Lok Sabha polls RSS said they won’t participate in state poll campaign for BJP. And suddenly they change their mind to allow their ground force to work for the party. Nothing was all of a sudden. Everything was pre-planned. And on the last day of the campaign, BJP leader confessed that it was none other than Amit Shah who decided to walk away from the alliance in order to become the senior party in the state so that they can stake claim for CM post.

Imported Candidates

Along with lack of ground force, lack of mass leader in the state, BJP also lacked another important thing. Lack of own candidates. It had to import around 60 candidates from other parties, of which 50 were from Congress-NCP itself. The same people whom BJP accused for corruption in the Vidhan Bhawan for the last 15 years were seen sharing dias hand in hand, while the PM of the country campaigning for them. It was to such extent that, one of the candidates was accused and jailed during the Telgi Stamp Paper scam for 2years. But had the Prime Minister, himself, campaigning for him in his constituency. So what change was PM Narendra Modi talking about? By this policy, you can surely change the ruling flag, but unfortunately same people will be running the government again. It’s like Old Wine in Old Bottle.

DayLight Robbery

The alliance formula set by Late Shiv Sena Pramukh Balasaheb Thackeray & Late Pramod Mahajan was BJP will be elder in Centre elections while Shiv Sena will be elder in state. Hence in the past two decades, BJP never fought above 120 assembly seats. So practically, party has become non-existent in more than 150 seats in Maharahtra. It doesn’t has its party machinery nor any ground force in those constituencies. After the demise of Gopinath Munde the party also lacked a face which has a pan Maharashtra appeal. Hence they needed the Prime Minisiter of the country, CMs of other BJP ruled state, entire central Cabinet, all Gujarats MLAs, MPs, Corporators to campaign in Maharashtra. Since they don’t have anyone of their own. Even on the banners only Modi picture was shown to garner votes. Inspite of being in such a weak situation, the party managed to win 122 seats, for me, is more like a Day Light Robbery

Pawar Trouble

NCP leader Sharad Pawar wanted to enter NDA fold in the Lok Sabha polls itself. But Shiv Sena party president Uddhav Thackeray had opposed his inclusion in the alliance. Hence Sharad Pawar had a deal with Narendra Modi that he should not campaign in Baramati. If NCP is able to win 3-4 seats then he will support the NDA proposed legislations in Rajya Sabha as Congress is still in majority in the Upper House. After the Vidhan Sabha preparation began, NCP supremo played another masterstroke. He had talks with a senior BJP leader in Delhi and asked them if you break alliance with Shiv Sena, within hours I will break alliance with the Congress. Even after the VS result were out and BJP came out to be largest party but short of majority, NCP declared unconditional outside support to form the government. Why is NCP always in hurry to be in the ruling corner? If one looks back into the history of Sharad Pawar, there has never been ethical politics. Only ruling politics. His party has been in power since its inception, either in state or country. Even in this polls when NCP was demanding higher seats from Congress, the latter decided to start the probe of Irrigation Scam. Before the CM could give orders, NCP resigned from the government putting it into minority. Later BJP leaders were calling for dissolving the government and applying President Rule in the state to the Governor. Today the NCP says, we respect people’s mandate and they have said BJP should form the government. Hence we are providing the support so the state gets a stable government. So if they were so concerned about the state then why did they resign at first place forcing upon President Rule on us? Sharad Pawar is mainly worried about Amit Shah. When Modi came in power in Gujarat, Shah started moving his pieces and took control of all co-operatives from the Congress. Today in Maharashtra, NCP runs mainly 60% of the co-operatives be it Sugar mills, Banks, Diaries etc. This clout helps the party to earn votes even when facing grave corruption charges. Pawar knows, if his party is not in power it will start breaking up. Plus there are many other financial transactions taking place which needs the shield of power. Hence to keep it together he needs the oxygen of government, be it Centre or state.

Is Corruption really an Issue?

One thing which the Marathi voter proved in this election is corruption can never be a poll plank in the state. Instead of getting angry, people flaunt the figures of corruption by their leaders with pride. When the Adarsh Society scam surfaced, then CM Ashok Chavan was forced to resign from his post. But the same person, won the only Congress seat in Maharashtra, inspite of facing such grave charges. The then Governor Sankarnarayanan, Congress appointed, didn’t allow probe against Chavan in order to assure a smooth victory ride in LS polls. Even his wife Ameeta Chavan who stood in the Vidhan Sabha election also won her Bhokar assembly seat. Take the case of Ajit Pawar. Protagonist in the 70000crore Irrigation Scam in the state.  Did theatrics of resignation, but no one was appointed in his place. After 2months, himself acquitted him and returned to the Dy.CM post again. Abused the people by making urinating in dam comment. And at the end of the day, he won his Baramati seat with maximum margin in the recent elections. Going by these couple of examples, amongst many, it makes me wonder is corruption really a issue. If same people are to appointed again and again then I guess there is no need of electoral process which again spends thousands of crores tax payers money.

Analysis of MNS

MNS saw it’s all time low in the recent state elections. They were reduced to 1 seat, from the 13 won in 2009. Plus the party which was said to have a strong base in Mumbai, Thane, Nashik belt couldn’t get anything from these urban areas. Especially Nashik was the biggest setback for Raj Thackeray which still has a MNS Mayor. But did the party actually deserve this. Were they so bad as an option to be considered by people compared to the anti-incumbent government or for that matter the Hyderabad based MIM, who won 3 seats & whose victory lap had slogans “Bhaag Hindu Aaya Owaisi”. One cannot deny the fact that as on date, after Sharad Pawar, only Raj Thackeray has a pan Maharashtra appeal. A Fire Brand Leader, Class Orator, Popular among all ages. So what went wrong? Did the party didn’t perform at all with their 13 MLAs or did the people vote according to activities happening in the last 3-4 months before elections. First lets see the work done by MNS.

 -Marathi Compulsory

Ever since I started using mobile phone, there were only two languages available for talking to customer executives; English or Hindi. It was after MNS agitation that all mobile phone operators started Marathi as another optional language. Many liberal thinkers called this petty issues. So why aint these queries raised in the states in South Bharat. They holding up on their language is pride, and if Marathi people talk about the same then it is goondagiri. In my visit to some cities in Gujarat, I use to find trouble even in searching for a General Store. Since all the name boards of shops were in their local language. So when the same law is applied here, people make conclusions of dividing the country. All states were formed according to their local languages. So it is the duty of all citizens to respect the local culture. This change was visible in the state only because of the successful MNS agitation.

 -Toll

This has been the most talking point since 2012. But the strange part in it is the entire sections of media have always cross questioned Raj Thackeray but never ever did the question the authorities, or the incumbent government. Even the principal opposition party in the state never paid heed to this issue. It was MNS which unearthed the massive corruption through toll, how people are being fooled and are merely contributing to ruling parties election fund. In all his rallies, Raj Thackeray explained in detail, how the corruption is going on. Not by just flying arrows in the air, but with proper documents from the appropriate authorities taken via RTI. MNS Chief gave many examples of different toll nakas, the number of which are illegal, the ones which have already expired but collection is on. All MNS activist were sitting on the toll nakas day and night to count the number of vehicles which pass through the toll naka’s daily. The party complied all the data in order to get rough idea of the amount of collection which is made daily and how much time will it take to shut down the toll nakas. With all the complied data when MNS approached court, they always postponed the hearings for months together. Court said since the toll collection started more than 10-15 years ago, time limit to file a case against any corruption is 3 years after the date of beginning of collection. Which implies that corruption has no time limit but to voice against it has a time limit. When MNS Chief met the Chief Minister of the state to highlight this issue, he himself confessed being aware of the wrong doings. But replied that being in an alliance it is not possible to take action else the government will go in to minority. After the first state wide agitation when all MNS activist staged rastta roko in various parts of the state, the government sprung into action and ordered closure of 65 toll nakas which were either illegal or which had expired already. As asked by MNS, government also asked all companies to display the details such as Cost of construction, Amount to be collected, Amount collected as on date, Start Date of Collection, End date of Collection etc on the toll nakas. Even as the Lok Sabha polls came near, CM declared another new policy wherein construction on which Rs.10crore or less is spent, toll will not be applicable. MNS has also asked for increase in distance between two toll nakas should be implemented as per the guidelines of NHAI. When a violent agitation took place in Kolhapur, some opposition parties tried to take credit. But point worth noting is those were the local people of who staged the protest and not any political outfits. It was MNS which first brought into people’s notice the corruption behind this type of road tax. And what people did, was ignore it completely by voting against MNS only because media carried a propaganda against them.

 -Pro Modi or Anti Modi

MNS Chief was the first person throughout the country to propose that Narendra Modi should be the PM of our country. His organizational skills, leadership qualities, pride for Gujarati Asmita, and will power to make things possible made him the perfect CM of his state. This was the only reason why Raj Thackeray also praised him during the Lok Sabha campaign. But some people misunderstood it. His support was for the man and not for the party to which he belongs. The country lacked a strong leader under UPA. Hence Modi was a perfect option to replace and fill that vaccum. Also support doesn’t means he became a blind follower of Modi. When things are wrong one should voice concern regarding the same. Certain things which took place post elections were shocking. As soon as Modi government started business, he first scrapped a project which was suppose to come in the Naval land in Mumbai and shifted the same to Porbandar. Even in November 2013 it was MNS who raised the issue for JNPT. Purposely the development of the port was delayed because it’s business was being transferred to Gujarat. During the Vidhan Sabha Campaign, CM of Gujarat came to Mumbai for a function attended by industrialists. There she made her full speech in Gujarati. Now is Gujarati Maharashtra state language or national language? Also in that speech she openly criticized the Infrastructure of Mumbai, where apparently BJP is control of Mumbai Municipal Corporation. She urged all the business community to pack up from Maharashtra and shift your base to Gujarat where we will give you a red carpet welcome. Not even in his single speech did Modi answered about the comments made by his appointed CM. Here BJP is talking creating employment, but the partys boss home state CM was talking about snatching away all the employment opportunities. Complete contradictory campaign was been carried and sad thing is people did vote for them. So when Raj Thackeray raised these issues he was criticized for changing his stand. I failed to understand where did he actually change his stand. He isn’t a blind bhakt of Mr. Modi. He will speak if some thing is happening against the welfare of our state. He was not all wrong in that. It was just the wrong media propaganda, which changed people’s mind who went against MNS.

 -Contesting Election

Raj Thackeray did mention his reason for not contesting the polls. He is a state leader who has state wide appeal. He is not restricted to any particular constituency. One needs to understand that he is single handedly managing the affairs of the party. He has to draft the agenda, the policies, to head the campaign. He had to tour the entire state as MNS was contesting in over 230 seats. In such case it was never possible for him to concentrate on one constituency. He also faced dilemma in choice of constituency. If he selects A, then what B has did wrong to ignore them.

 -Performance of MNS 13 MLAs

People completed ignored all the statistics which spoke in volume about the performance of MNS in Vidhan Bhawan. In the entire 5 years tenure, MNS legislators raised over 6600 questions in the assembly, highest by any party. MNS ranked 2^nd when it came to proposing new legislations for the welfare of the state. MNS MLA from Sewree, Bala Nandgaonkar was ranked among the top performing MLA in the last concluded assembly.  And yet people ignored each and everyone of them in the recent elections. If Ajit Pawar can win the polls even after being named in the Irrigation Scam, then why couldn’t all clean image, performing MLAs win in the elections.

 -Performance of MNS as organization

MNS karyakartas where among the highest number who faced police lathi charge due to agitation they participated in. MNS was active against the anti-incumbent state government more than the principal opposition parties. It was MNS who was on road when police and media was attacked by Raza Academy Morcha people. Raj Thackeray, in all his speeches during the state wide tour in 2013 spoke in depth about the multi crore Irritgation scam, with all documents and proof. He brought in front of the people the methods in which money was being utilized for sponsoring their electoral campaigns. No other party explained these issues with such details and by giving examples of projects. MNS provided food for all the boys who came to Mumbai for getting a police job, since some boys died during those tests due to lack of food and water. Even the police department thanked the party for providing assistance. Party also supplied water, fodder in draught effected areas. It instilled the Marathi pride in today’s youth which was fading away.

And yet MNS was rejected completely by people to such extent that the party might be de-recognised by Election Commission as a state party and also might lose its election symbol Railway Engine, both of which it achieved in its very first elections in 2009. Results were indeed sad, but now is not the time fir crying over it. It is time for thorough introspection and complete rejuvenation of the party. MNS has it’s ground force, local leaders and a charismatic party chief.

Now that BJP is set to form new government with either Shiv Sena or NCP. All I can hope is we might find some change in the state. If it doesn’t perform MNS is there to keep a check on them even if the party has one MLA.

-SR

Dear Rajsaheb Thackeray

Respected MNS President Rajsaheb Thackeray,

Warm Greetings and a very Happy Diwali.

Vidhan Sabha results were declared on Sunday. As you are well aware of, our party was totally decimated in terms of number of seats as well as our vote share. It hurts more when a Hyderabad based party comes and wins more seats than us.

Sir, the only reason I started following MNS since its inception was your perspective. To explain in Hindi,  Aap Lambi Race ka Ghoda ho. Your political acumen, decision making pattern, quality of judging the ever changing political scenario is something which our state politics doesn't produce anymore. In the Narendra Modi dominated Lok Sabha polls, even by contesting 10 seats half heartedly, as you confessed, you were 6th or 7th in maximum media coverage throughout the country. This, without any media advisers or paid media theatrics. Speaks in volume of your charismatic personality. A person who is well versed with the past and has built a vision, brick by brick, from those experiences for a better future. Practically, no one did put forth such a massive document in the recent elections or in Independent Bharat politics like our Blueprint. It's just that, we were not successful in selling our dream. Sir, I am completely a novice to give you lessons on politics. But as a follower I just wanted to make these few things heard.

Point 1:
I remember in one of the Karyakartas Melawa in your brief speech you had said to all leaders, "Perform or Perish. Team B is ready to takeover." Sir this is the golden opportunity we have been granted by the people. In Bharat, there are few basic requirements of a political establishment: Charismatic Leader, Better Vision for the future and Ground force. As on today, we have fulfilled all these criteria. Now lets take the next step & strengthen our organisation roots.

Point 2:
After back to back defeats, some heads must roll. We lost our ground touch, which had a negative impact on our image. President's interaction with the party, without media around, has to increase. Sir, your presence, few exchange of words can boost up the morale of cadre. And I can vouch for maximum number of our Karyakartas. Your speeches aint just guidelines but act as power thruster. Sir, we missed your presence around. Your word is the command of the entire cadre. But it was coming after long time gaps. It is time fill in that gap.

Point 3:
Something which was seen in many of our previous constituencies was, our MLAs were undertaking work without taking people into confidence. Change is the need of the hour, but we just can't impose it on people. One angry voter expresses his/her anger towards our party to many others. We need to take all concerned parties into confidence before going ahead with implementation of projects. It is not possible to get 100% consensus, but the positives has to be on the higher side.

Point 4:
The most important thing today, where our party lost ground was lack of active IT team. Our party needs to be active on social media as that is one of powerful source to put our views in front of people. Agree, it has its own disadvantages. But we cant deny the fact that it is the future. BJP was able to capture that space. To some extent, even AAP was successful in getting their views trend during Delhi assembly elections. With an influential leader, like you sir, we can easily create a space for our party which is necessary to attract the fresh voters which are today increasing in numbers as well as they are the future of country.

Point 5:
Appointed party leaders holding various posts like the Branch heads, Area heads, District heads must be compelled to submit monthly or quarterly report detailing the works done by them on behalf of the party. It should be implemented in Down to Up pattern. Branch head will submit to Area head. Area head will submit his/ her own report as well as Branch Heads report to District head. Each district heads can send one consolidated report to RajGad, our party HQ, for review by senoir leaders & party president. This will help to strengthen the organization. Surprise visits by senoir leaders can be conducted to ensure proper functioning of the party machinery.

Point 6:
Indirectly, we must activate MNVS in active politics. We knew Raj Thackeray, because of your work when you were at the helm of Vidyarthi Sena during Shiv Sena days. Similarly we must make our young generation popular on their own credit. Frequent visits in constituencies even on general days might help them create their own image. The more independently they start handling the affairs of MNVS, more deep we root our party in our state.

Point 7:
Second in command leaders must be compelled to conduct campaigns on their own. This will increase our reach to voters, specially during election time when there is time shortage. It will also ease out dome pressure from your shoulders. As the number of visits of other leaders will increase their popularity will begin to rise. Dividend can be reaped during election season.

Point 8:
We need to implement some parts from our Blueprint. We have mentioned about election within the party. This is the appropriate time to go ahead with it. I remember you said in one rally, "Opposition party never wins, ruling party loses." Hence we should not wait for some wrong doing of current government. Instead we should start taking our agenda to people, leaving the criticise ruling party part aside. Let people judge our genuineness. Once they realise & understand our honest intention, no force can stop us.

Point 9:
The one thing which had a huge negative impact on the confidence of people in us was our constant change in stands. With main stream media, parallel media, social media all on highly active mode, nothing fades away. All comments stay in the tube. Few things among them were, as you are aware of it sir, supporting and then criticising Modi & youself backing out from not contesting polls. I am completely aware of the ground reality for those decisions. But we failed to convince our voters. Hence they couldn't judge our motive behind those decisions. That communication gap led us to our downfall in this election. We need to reach out to people again to explain our point of view.

So lets come together once again in our mission to create Maharashtra,  the world will envy of. Let us together strengthen our strong points, implement some new techniques, keep our party in active mode, constantly. With this, we will be able to make our voice heard. We will be able to win back the lost ground. We will be able to win back voters confidence. Yes, It is Possible.

At the end I would like to quote few lines from a poem:

"From the ashes, a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring.
Renewed shall be the blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be King."

- A Rajsaheb Thackeray & MNS Supporter.

Smarak Traasdayak

It was in 2012 when there was a regime change in UP. The Yadav's of SP replaced the Mayawati of BSP. And immediately a scam of previous government surfaced. In her regime, Mayawati had erected 130 statues of huge elephants (her party symbol) in parts of Noida & Lucknow. Subsequent police raids which followed revealed that the corrupt officials had overpaid the contractors to build these statues. Sub-standard material was used & the statue that should have cost Rs.5 lakhs were bought by state run agency for Rs.60 lakhs each.
Also not to forget here, the other statues she built of herself & her ideological mentor Kanshi Ram across the state.

During the recently concluded Lok Sabha election,  the current Prime Minister then BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi had said during their poll campaign that he will erect a huge statue of Sardar Vallabhai Patel and name it as Statue of Unity. It will be world's tallest statue with a height of 182 meters and will be constructed on the Sardar Sarovar Dam. Modi had also started a campaign to collect iron from people throughout the country, bringing back the memories of collection of bricks asked by LK Advani in 1991 during the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi Movement.

If BJP is playing the statue card then how can the Gandhi family led Congress stay behind. The architects of the Rs.70000crore Irrigation scam by the Congress-NCP government in Maharashtra declared that it is also going to build a 312 feet high statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the Arabian Sea near Mumbai. The government also released Rs.100crores as advance money for the construction, which is nowhere to be seen. And with the regime change in Delhi & also eminent in Maharashtra that entire advance money goes in the politicians pockets to sponsor their electoral campaigns, which is apparently the tax payers hard earned money.

Nehru-Gandhi Family Memorials
The memorials of this one family only in Delhi are spread over 120 acres. Their heir's talk about 'Garibi Hatao' slogans or promises to provide houses to poor. Then why so much of area is blocked in their own names. Add to it the maintenance cost. Is it borne by the family or their party? Or again taxpayer? This is also not enough. There is politics over whose memorial should be here and not be. They also prepare a list of exceptions. Former PM PV Narsimharao was not allowed to be cremated in Delhi for only reason that he will also have to be allotted space in the Zone of Dead.

Is all this necessary?
The main intention of a memorial is to protect the legacy of that great person. To display her/his lifes' work, struggles, victories which shall be inspiring for the coming generations. So many statues are built of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj or Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar across the country; are they maintained properly? Except their Jayanti Divas, they are left to nature for rest of the year.

These all are stunts made only to earn political mileage. Some political parties in the country have to gone to such extent that they have distributed our national heroes according to caste. For example, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj of Marathas, Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar of Dalits etc.

The party or alliance which is in power when hit by corruption scandals in their tenure, this is the only way left to ask for votes. Make speeches about the heroes, play with the emotions of the people by showing an artistic impression of some upcoming statue and comparison of the same with some renowned statue in the world. So that people will forget all the scams and again vote them to power.

Does these statues do any good to improve the lives of common man? Is there any change in our lifestyle by construction of a new statue in our locality? Are these statues holding some magic wand which will give us potholes free roads or does the sword in the statue will stop the terrorists which once entered in the city through water?

Lets take the example of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Arabian Sea. It's initial price, when it was proposed for the first time in 2004 by the Congress-NCP alliance in their manifesto was Rs.100crores. By the time next term was due, cost went to Rs.350 crores. During the LS elections of  2014 the cost crossed 4 figure mark with it's initial proposed price, Rs.100crores, released as advance. And not to forget, every penny will be from the taxpayers fund. Even after contributing so much, the same taxpayer will have to purchase tickets in order to visit the same in future.

Solutions
As an election appeasement policy, the Congress government declared the land of Indu Mill located in Dadar to be utilised to build a memorial of Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar. The Dalit political parties were trying to earn brownie points but none of them had a proper visionon what type of memorial should be built. MNS Chief Raj Thackeray had suggested to build a world's largest library in the alloted space. Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar spent his entire life preaching everyone to learn and educate ourselves. This library will help to protect the legacy of that great man. Solutions to these memorial politics are very simple if only one starts looking beyond votebank politics.

The same theory can be applied in case of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. If the government is willing to spend thousands of crores for making a statue in the water; then why not, instead of a statue, spend only half of that money to clean and maintain the 350 forts of Shivaji Maharaj. That is the true legacy of the great Maratha warrior. Not only will that keep his legacy alive, it will also keep on motivating the coming generations. Instead of a statue these forts will tell more about the history and glory of the great man and it will also attract tourists from all over the world.

Another example of our soldiers. No matter how many jawans die in the battlefield for the safety of our motherland. For them there is only one single Amar Jyot. We couldn't even build a war memorial commemorating the great services of our brave soldiers who are the real heroes. But politicians have acres of lands even if they didn't hold any constitutional posts or worked for mererly few years.

Except Rajghat, all other memorials should be removed and the place should be made available for public use. Every city has a municipality which builds gardens or joggers park. Why not name them after the deceased politicians. One can also build photo gallery within it which will depict the life story of that great leader.

Things are possible only if we show the will power to change it. When our current leaders will start thinking beyond petty politics that will be the government which will truely be of & for the people.

-SR.

The Fake Smile

Independent was she once, fear of nobody
Lives in bondage today, taking commands from everybody.

Sits and cries all alone, wondering why
With a broken heart, she lets each day pass by.

Happiness was once an ordinary feeling,
Time has taken it's toll, today, left her bleeding.

Fought against the world for her present,
Only to find herself isolated in torment.

She misses those small things from their best years,
Things that made them strong & moments which were forever to cheer.

Women within her wants to break free,
Mother & Wife, though, don't seem to agree.

But her love never faded, even in the storm
As real love always finds it's way around.

So to live in the dark, until it's dawn,
Her mantra for life is:
Head Up-Stay Strong-Fake A Smile-Move On.



-SR.

BJP betrays MNS

BJP has decided to part ways with MNS for the upcoming Mayor elections of the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) as the term of current Mayor Yatin Wagh (MNS) comes to an end. The reason for snapping ties, among others, is BJP claiming that the MNS did not give, as promised, the chairmanship of the all powerful Standing Committee which is responsible for the financial transactions of the civic body. They have decided to support the nomination of Shiv Sena candidate in order to please their alliance partner ahead of Vidhan Sabha polls slated for next month. Another setback which MNS received was 2 corporators of the party have decided to switch their loyalty to Shiv Sena.

The MNS-BJP alliance was formed in February 2012 after the election results were declared. MNS, under the strong leadership of Raj Thackeray, won 40 seats in the 122 member NMC to become the single largest party. Whereas Shiv Sena-BJP, who fought together, won 19 & 14 seats respectively. The Congress-NCP combine won 35 seats, thus leaving no party or alliance attaining the magical figure of 62.

BJP has decided not leave any stone unturned before the Model Code of Coduct kicks off for Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha elections. Inspite of fighting election together with Shiv Sena in 2012, BJP decided to support MNS then, as Raj Thackeray was in the good books of Nitin Gadkari. Also Raj was invited by then CM of Gujarat Narendra Modi for his swearing ceremony in 2011. BJP was then exploring partners other than Shiv Sena in the state in order to gain a upper hand.

However lot of things have changed since the death of senoir BJP leader Gopinath Munde. Earlier there were two teams in the state BJP, one led by Munde and other by Gadkari. But now the new central leadership of the party under the command of Amit Shah has given clear instructions that word of state party unit head Devendra Fadnavis will be final and everyone has to fall in line, indirectly hinting towards Team Gadkari. Snapping ties with MNS is checkmate to Gadkari-Raj friendship.

But for MNS, it will further add to their misery of LS results. The party was completely routed, with 9 out 10 of it's candidates losing their deposits. The voteshare of MNS also came down from 4.06% in 2009 to 1.5% in 2014. The only shining star on the partys CV was the Mayor post of Nashik. Now that too seems to be fading away.

Many reasons seem to be responsible for the current state of the party. During the LS polls, Raj was in two minds till March whether to contest or not. After meeting with Nitin Gadkari who asked him not to contest in the election, Raj has always changed his stand by each passing day creating confusion among the party cadre.

When the party finally decided to contest, the candidates selected were all weak and had no mass reach in their respective constituencies. Plus there was no official party manifesto for the elections. Raj Thackeray himself addressed 35-40 rallies, but all of them were not matching to his own level of oratory. Though the party could strike alliance with the PWP, it didn't bear any fruits.

After the LS defeat, Raj addressed a massive rally in Mumbai and declared that he will be contesting the upcoming state polls and if mandate is provided will lead the party as its CM candidate. It boosted the morale of the party karyakartas. However in a recent press conference in August he backed off from that decision. During LS campaigns in April, on a TV interview, he said the blueprint for the state will be out in August. But till date the same is not released as he keeps on posponing it's release date.

Recently a leader from the transport wing of the party had alleged that Raj Thackeray has time to play with his dogs but not to meet the party karyakartas. MNS, like the ShivSena or CPI, is a cadre based party. They are the whole and soul of the organization. And by ignoring them, Raj is sending a wrong message to the partys rank and file.

Also the party has not been able to create second rung leaders. It is completely dependent on Raj Thackeray. This creates a leadership vacuum due to which other leaders are not able to attract crowds for their rallies.

Though all the above reasons may be valid, one cannot write off MNS completely. The party in power today in Lok Sabha with 282 seats was at 2 in 1984. Under the leadership of Advani then Vajpayee and now Modi the party is rejuvenated. After a massive anti Congress(I) wave of 1977, Indira Gandhi brought the party back to power in 1980. Political scenario in state till June 2013 was not BJP friendly. After the elevation of Narendra Modi as Campaign Chief and then the PM candidate of BJP led NDA, a massive wave was created throughout the nation.

Raj Thackeray has himself been in politics for over two decades. Patience is virtue, which is needed to survive in politics, he has in plenty. Like LS, he is aware, in the Vidhan Sabha polls too BJP will have major say. Hence all masterstrokes will turn out to be failure.

BJP feels they did the right thing today by breaking the alliance but only time will tell its impact. MNS chief reaction on this will be worth watching. But right now he needs to start a No Holds Barred campaign in the state to give his party a breathing space.

PS: In order to avoid any further poaching, MNS has sent it's 38 corporators to Rajasthan. Similarly, NCP has also sent their bunch to Lonavla.

-SR.

एक मिठी प्रेमाची

तिचा जन्म होताच सगळेच चेहरे काही आनंदित होत नाही
भूरसटलेले विचार असणारे, त्या गोजीर्वाण्याला तिच्या पहिल्या क्षणातच कोसतात |

जन्माला आलेल्या मुलाचं कोड कौतुक करताना शब्द अपुरे पडतात,
परंतु मुलीचा मात्र त्याच क्षणी जगाशी युद्ध आरंभ होते |

भातुकलीचा खेळ खेळत बालपण सरतं,
अनेकांचा राग द्वेष सोसत, आयुष जगण्यामधे ती मग्न होते |

मौज करण्यासाठी मुलांना काही बंधन नसतं,
पण तिच्या पायात मात्र परंपरेच्या बेड्या कायम ठोठावल्या जातात |

येणारा प्रत्येक व्यक्ती आपले विचार तिच्यावर लादत असतो,
तिच्या आतल्या मी पणाला जणू प्रत्येक जन ठेचत जातो |

मुलगी म्हणून आई वडिलांचा,
बायको म्हणून नवर्याचा आणि,
आई म्हणून स्वताच्या मुलांच,
या सर्वांचे मनं जपेस्तोर तिचं उभं आयुष निगुन जातं |

कौतुक तर दूरच, नुसतं जान देखील ठेवण्यास
या तीनही पिड्या विसरून जातात |

सगळ्यांच्या आनंदात ती रमते, सर्वांना दुखात ती सावरते,
पण तिच्या भावना मात्र कायम सगळेच गृहीत धरतात |

आरश्यात पाहून कधी तरी गुपचूप हस्ते,
रात्रीच्या काळोखात कोपर्यातच ती रडते,
तिचा आयुष हे कायमचं,
तारेवरचं कसरत होऊन बसते |

नाही कपडा लत्याची, कि दाग दागिन्याची,
याची तिला कधी हि हाव नसते |

कायमच ज्याची ती वाट पाहते,
ते दोन शब्द आदराचे आणि एक मिठी प्रेमाची |




- एसआर

The Dark Knights

It was a  normal days end. I was about to finish my dinner while watching Julun Yetil Reshamgatti. It was around 845pm when Vinay called up. We had a normal talk in the morning, so I assumed it might be for some usual buddy chats. I disconnected the call and was messaging him will call later. But before I could complete my message, he called on my brothers phone and asked him to transfer as it was urgent. I immediately took the call and the first voice was shocking. Vinay was sounding broken like he may have cried sometime ago. In that panic striken voice he was saying, "Yaar siddhesh sagla sampla, majha purse marli koni tari. Me palm beach la fasloy. Tyat sagla debit credit cards, IDs, official docs, cash hota. Motha problem jhala aahey."

I never saw him like that as my image of vinay was always strong tuff guy. Hearing him so vulnerable made me speechless.  I summed up courage and told him, "Radu nakos, me yetoy tikdey."

Dressed up in casuals I left immediately. As I reached in the building compound, I again called him and told to stay calm and first block all your cards. I knew alone for me it will be difficult in the darkness, so the first name popped in my head was Rohan. His work location is in vashi and he might have reached home by 8 for the day. So I decided to ask him to join me. Our 1st call could not be completed coz of 7 days Gauri Ganpati visarjan, there was lot of noise in his locality. I sent him an sms that call back its emergency. He came in a silent zone and called me. I told him the situation and I said I need your help. He responded immediately. 

I went towards bhandup station and took a ticket for Vashi via Thane, return. In the train, I messaged baba everything and told not to worry and dont keep calling as my battery is low. I got down at Mulund and thought to meet Rohan there itself so that I can explain him in detail and we can start figuring out some ways to reach there. I was searching for a PCO outside Mulund station near the exit towards MCC as I was at the risk of losing my battery power, and damn I couldn't locate one. So finally I called Rohan through my phone to ask his location.

Now the adventure begins. Rohan assumed it was Palm Beach Road in Mumbai and so he took a bus towards Bhandup. I was wondering now what to do. I told him I am at Mulund waiting for you. So he disconnected the call. In some time he messaged there are no autos as roads are blocked coz of visarjan. So in the mean time a thought struck my head, why not try calling Pravin, just incase. I know his office hours begin at 7pm and phone is not allowed. Still with a fools hope I tried calling. Well, as expected, he didn't picked up. So I dropped a message that we gotta petty situation will you be able to help us in that.

By that time, Rohan messaged that he boarded an auto and is coming to Mulund station. That was a huge relief. So I called vinay again to ask his position. He was still there, I told him I am coming with Rohan but it will take sometime. He asked me to tell Rohan to get a torch. I said he has already left his place. He said fine and disconnected the call. Again Rohan called and said board the Titwala train which has just arrived, we'll meet in Thane.

When we reached Thane, he messaged walk towards Platform No 10 as we both were poles apart. Finally we met at Thane-Vashi platform. Our badluck was that the 934 local just left few minutes ago and next train was 30minutes later. We told vinay our situation. Also there was no response from Pravin yet, so we assumed he wont be able to join.

The fun part in this was Rohan was getting calls from his home regularly as they thought he is going for some party. Once he got so irritated that he gave his phone to me and said you only tell where we are going. I was like, 'Me kay bolnaar'. Then as the train reached midway I told rohan to sent the same sms which I had sent to my home telling them about the situation. And I told him to send it through my phone, so they'll have my contact incase your phone is off.

Well, that did work and after that, only once Rohan got a call from his house. The main intention of calling Rohan was that my phones battery was in its final stage. But when he came, even his phone was beeping constantly,  connect your charger. We were up for on helluva night ahead.

When Rohans message was sent Pravin called up. I explained him the situation in detail. He said, I'll see what I can do and hung up. Just to relax our mind we were having normal talk for sometime. By the time we reached vashi vinay called up. But to our surprise it was Pravin.  He asked for a break in his office, took his friends bike and reached at the spot. Now that was a relief as some one was their with vinay.

I asked pravin to fetch him to vashi station as his office was also at the same location. First he didn't say anything but in sometime he called again, that vinay is having another friend with him. And he cant come triple seat as there is bandobast and also that bike is not of his ownership.

He had valid point. So we had no option. They messaged their location as Palm Beach Road, Sector 14. We took an auto from vashi station and told the automan the same. First time i saw an auto in Navi Mumbai ferrying on meter. We came a bit far and I was getting a bit sceptical as he was heading towards Khairne. I again called them and asked their location, they replied on the highway sector 14. When we reached sector 14, I called pravin saying I have reached, now where are you. He said we are on the highway. So we came back on highway but I couldnt locate them. So i called him again and he asked me what is their on your right side. I said settlements. Residential building. And behind me a huge mall. He gave an opposite answer. On his right side was no mans land and behind him was only one Emerald building. We tried asking our automan but even he was clueless.

One thing I must admit that our automan was very cooperative. Never said a word in all the confusion. Also he took money as per meter, nothing extra as it is normal in vadhi side. Such breed of automan are very rare.

Then pravin was telling me to send a picture of my surrounding. I was like you wont be able to guess anything. So on the highway we stopped near the mall. There were lot of people around. I asked the guys outside is their any such building around, even they were unaware of the same. Then one of them asked me to confirm which sector 14, vashi or nerul. I called pravin again and asked him. There he said come towards Panvel. I told the automan now, Chalo Pavel ki aur.

As we entered Nerul area, I finally saw that Emerald building. Called Pravin again so he asked is therebanything on your right side? I said no, complete darkness. So he told you are on the right way, come ahead you'll see 3 of us roaming on the road. I told my automan to keep left and not to leave the highway.

Going ahead I finally found these 3 guys roaming around and waved to them. It was 11 now and last train in Thane-Vashi route is at 1110. Vinay was suggesting for an FIR. We said its no use at this juncture.  We might face problem to find a mode of transport to go home. And since we dont know anyone here, the police won't cooperate much.

Finally after long discussion we decided to leave for home. But the clock had passed 1110 and now we had to go via kurla. Pravin dropped the other guy some blocks ahead and he went towards his office. We turned our auto towards vashi. As soon as we reached station vinay was saying lets go without ticket as no one will be their now. But I insisted, so that there is no new situation.

Rohan took 3 tickets each to Ghatkopar, Bhandup and Thane. We went in the underground and climbed on Platform number 3. Suddenly my eyes went on the indicator. It was a Panvel train and for CST train will arrive at 4. Had I not seen that we would have surely headed for panvel.

After some 20minutes wait the train arrived and we all left for our home. The end was also good, as before we reached kurla vinays other friend called claiming he found the purse. It had everything except cash. Though circumstances are debatable that how he alone suddenly found it, but we were tired for the day. Important docs, IDs,  cards were secured was a relief.

The true heroes for the night were pravin and rohan who dropped in immediately without knowing full situation. One was at his workplace while other had just arrived home from a tiring day of work. Still without sparing a thought they came for their friends rescue. They are, for me, in this situation 'The Dark Knights.

-SR.

मी मराठी - My Marathi

भावना व्यक्त करण्यास भाषेचं बंधन नसतं,
परंतु आपल्या मातृभाषेत करण्याची मज्जाच वेगळी असते |
शब्दकोश दांडगा असावा असं काही नाही,
मनातल्या संवेदना कलम आपो आप पानांवर उत्रवत असते |

जात पात धर्म मानतो मराठी,
शाळा होती इंग्रजी, ज्ञान अमृत कमीच पडलं मराठी |
प्रयत्नांती यश प्राप्ती, मॅडमचे हे वाक्य आठवले,
धैर्यने घेतलं कलम, आणि पाहताच शब्द आपोआप अवतरले |

लिहलेले शब्द एकदमच आपलेसे वाटतात,
वेगळाच आनंद देत, चेहऱ्यावर हसू फुलवून जातात |
मनात विचारांची धांदल उडते,
नक्की कशावर लिहावं याचीच तारांबळ उडते |

खूप विचार करून आज अखेर शंख फुंकला,
कित्येक वर्षाच्या इंग्रजी प्रवासात, आज मराठी सुर्य उगवला |
आता बाळगला मनाशी एकचं ध्यास,
मी मराठी - My Marathi,
हीच आपली ओळख आणि हाच आपला अटाहास |



-एस.आर

Your Life -- Your Rules

Others throne may not be yours to wear,
No matter how much you strive, you will end in despair.
You cannot ask what does not belong to you,
You only get what is due to you.

Petty falls cannot shake you to the core,
Never it is about the battles, but winning the war.
No defeat is ever bigger than life,
Neither a victory be judged as destination in life.

All are born unique with a mission to fulfill,
Always it is incomplete until you breathe.
One cannot venture in owns path in some one else's shoe,
Yours it is to explore, not follow what others drew.

In a world filled with changes each and everyday,
You will always be judged for what you do or say.
Learn to ignore the voices which least matter to you,
You might miss an opportunity, if you keep pelting stones in the dew.



-SR.

Old Is Still New

Everyone moved ahead post college life,
I, too, sailed on an adventure to relish the nature's might.
Directions changed as opinions began to differ,
Deep in my mind I knew something was left to wither.

Life became a play, everyone ploughed their way,
Old memories vacated the place, to give new one's gateway.
Those memories became history for you,
But what was old to you, for me, is still fresh and new.

People were many I came across,
Many voices filled the crowd.
Never understood why I couldn't blend,
Maybe 'coz, I couldn't term them as A Friend.

Still I can hear our roars from the sphere,
The occasional tears and deafening cheer.
Pictures, even today, murmer the words we spoke,
Old memories you say, is the latest my mind still evokes.

There is a reason why I initiate get together's,
And always stress on all to gather.
You have choices in plenty, to taste the fun,
Might sound strange, still, for me you are the only one.



-SR.