Tag: Shiv Sena

Maharashtra Government

EC Freezes Thackeray SS’s Bow And Arrow Symbol

By LokMarg

The Uddhav Thackeray camp of Shiv Sena submitted a list of three names and symbols for the upcoming Andheri East Assembly constituency by-polls to the Election Commission.

Amid a row over Shiv Sena’s ‘Bow and Arrow’ symbol claim, the Election Commission (EC) on Saturday froze the symbol barring both the rival camps in the party from using it in the upcoming Assembly by-poll slated for November 3.
Following this, the Thackeray faction on Sunday submitted the options of ‘Trishul’, ‘Rising Sun’, and ‘Torch’ as symbols for the party to the Election Commission. Further, the Thackeray camp suggested three names — Shiv Sena (Balasaheb Thackeray), Shiv Sena (Prabodhankar Thackeray), and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) for the upcoming bye-elections.

“Our party’s name is Shiv Sena, if ECI gives any of the names related to Shiv Sena including ‘Shiv Sena (Balasaheb Thackeray)’, ‘Shiv Sena (Prabodhankar Thackeray)’ or ‘Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)’, that would be acceptable to us,” Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) MP Arvind Sawant told media persons.

Meanwhile, the Shinde faction hit out at the rival Thackeray camp, saying it would not get any votes and was busy seeking public sympathy.

Minister in Chief Minister Shinde’s cabinet Deepak Kesarkar said, “They (Uddhav faction) have not done anything in the past 2.5 years. People would not vote for them, thus they are seeking sympathy. ECI is a constitutional authority, we should keep its respect, not insult them over Twitter.”

“We have all the documents and we have a majority. We will get justice and the symbol as well,” added Kesarkar.

Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray on Saturday called Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led-faction Shiv Sena as “traitors” after the Election Commission (EC) froze the symbol barring both the rival camps in the party from using it in the upcoming Assembly by-poll slated for November 3.

“Boxed traitors today have done a despicable and shameless act of freezing the Shiv Sena’s name and symbol. The people of Maharashtra will not tolerate this. Will fight and win! We are on the side of truth! Satyamev Jayate!” Aaditya Thackeray tweeted in Marathi.

Notably, EC passed the interim order saying in Andheri East bye polls, neither of the two groups shall be permitted to use the symbol “Bow and Arrow”, reserved for “Shiv Sena”.

The Commission’s ruling came amid the ongoing symbol war between the Uddhav Thackeray camp and rival Eknath Shinde camp.

In its order, the Commission said, “In order to place both the rival groups on even keel and to protect their rights and interests, and going by the past precedence, the Commission hereby makes the following Interim Order, to cover the purpose of the current Bye-elections and to continue till the final determination of the dispute in the matter in terms of Para 15 of the Symbols Order:- Neither of the two groups led by Eknathrao Sambhaji Shinde (Petitioner) and other led by Uddhav Thackeray (Respondent) be permitted to use the name of the party Shiv Sena simplicitor.”

“Neither of the two groups shall also be permitted to use the symbol “Bow and Arrow”, reserved for “Shivsenal’; Both the groups shall be known by such names as they may choose for their respective groups, including, if they so desire, linkage with their parent party Shivsena; and Both groups shall also be allotted such different symbols as they may choose from the list of free symbols notified by the Election Commission for the purposes of the current bye-elections,” added the Commission.

Eknath Shinde took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on June 30 earlier this year.

This came after a faction of Shiv Sena under Shinde shifted the alliance to Bharatiya Janata Party BJP from MVA. Since then, Maharashtra has been witnessing a tussle between both the factions of Sena as to who is the real inheritor of the legacy of Bal Thackeray. (ANI)

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Shinde's Dussehra Rally

Fadnavis Hails Shinde’s Dussehra Rally

By LokMarg

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hailed Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Dussehra rally and exuded confidence for the upcoming Assembly elections.

“Will congratulate the Chief Minister, yesterday he showed who is the real Shiv Sena, yesterday there were twice the number of people in BKC than Shivaji Park,” said Fadnavis.
He also highlighted “saffron” and “real Shiv Sena’s” victory.

“There will be saffron on the assembly but that saffron will be the saffron of the real Shiv Sena i.e. Shinde of Shiv Sena and BJP alliance,” he added.

He also alleged former CM Uddhav Thackeray has shielded the Mumbai blast convicts.

“He (Uddhav Thackeray) supported the Mumbai bomb blast convicts, took along those who called Savarkar bad every day, and therefore he is seeing such times,” he said.

Earlier on October 5, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during his Dussehra rally hit back at Uddhav Thackeray for his Katappa remark, saying that even Katappa had self-respect and did not have double standards.

“They call me ‘Katappa’. I want to tell you that even ‘Katappa’ had self-respect and did not have double standards like you,” Shinde said.

Recently Uddhav Thackeray said, “The only thing I feel angry about is that when I was admitted to the hospital, the people whom I gave the responsibility (of the state) became ‘Katappa’ and betrayed us… They were thinking that I will never return from hospital.”

Slamming Uddhav Thackeray, Shinde said that if Balasaheb Thackeray had been alive, Narayan Rane would have become the CM.

“He (Uddhav Thackeray) didn’t feel ashamed of taking the oath of CM. If Balasaheb Thackeray had been alive he would not have become CM, Balasaheb would have made Narayan Rane CM”, CM added.

Balasaheb Thackeray’s other son Jaidev Thackeray came to show his support and shared the stage with Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde during the Dussehra rally at Mumbai’s BKC ground on Wednesday.

Extending support to CM Shinde, Jaidev Thackeray said, “Don’t leave Eknath Shinde alone. He is working for farmers and commoners”.

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and leaders from his faction attended the Shiv Sena Dussehra rally on MMRDA ground.

Shinde paid tribute to Balasaheb Thackeray. ‘Shashtr pooja’ (worship of arms) was performed for the 51 feet sword for which a Mahant was called from Ayodhya in UP.”

Shinde lambasted his former party leader Uddhav Thackeray over the alliance with Congress and called him a traitor. “Balasaheb Thackeray made an alliance with BJP. You did ‘gaddari’, we are not ‘gaddar’. You have committed a sin… go apologise to Balasaheb samadhi at Shivaji Park”.

Shinde further lauded his governance and said that while Uddhav Thackeray betrayed the people of Maharashtra and sold the ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray, he brought about a revolution. “You point at us for stealing your father but you have sold your father and the packed ground here shows this,” he said. (ANI)

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Uddhav Dig at shinde

Dussehra Rally: Uddhav Takes A Dig At Shinde, Calls Him ‘Katappa’

By LokMarg

On the occasion of Dussehra, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday took pot shots at Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and said the people who were given responsibility became ‘Katappa’ to betray the party.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction performed ‘Raavan Dahan’ at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, the traditional venue for the party’s Dussehra celebration since its inception in 1966.

The Shiv Sena chief said, “As per our yearly tradition, there will be a ‘Ravana Dahan’ ceremony, but the Ravana of this year is different. With time, Ravana also changes… He used to be 10-headed till now. But, how many heads does he have now? He is 50 times more betraying.”

Referring to the famous character ‘Katappa’ of the film Baahubali, the former Maharashtra CM said those who were given all the benefits, betrayed Shiv Sena.

“Those whom we gave everything have betrayed us and those who were not given anything, are all together. This Sena is not of one or two but of all of you. As long as you are with me, I will be the leader of the party. The only thing I feel bad and angry about is that when I was admitted to the hospital, the people whom I gave the responsibility (of the state) became ‘Katappa’ and betrayed us… They were cutting me and thinking that I will never return from the hospital,” added Thackeray.

Maharashtra has been witnessing a tussle between both the factions of Sena as to who is the real inheritor of the legacy of Bal Thackeray.

Using Dussehra as an opportunity to attack the opponent, both the factions of Sena, who are at loggerheads since the split in June, are holding rallies billed as a show of strength. For the first time, people of the state are weighing both factions of Shiv Sena.

Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde leveled allegations against each other. Two parallel Dussehra rallies, one at the traditional Shivaji Park and the other at MMRDA grounds articulated as a competition of show of strength between the rival factions.

Uddhav questioned, “What about giving strength to women’s power or women’s rights when it came to Ankita Bhandari Uttarakhand murder case, which as per news reports, happened at a BJP leader’s resort.”

He then went ahead to challenge the Shinde faction to come on one stage and speak about Hindutva without taking the script from BJP.

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and leaders from his faction attended the Shiv Sena Dussehra rally on MMRDA ground. Shinde also gave a tribute to Balasaheb Thackeray’s chair. ‘Shashtr pooja’ was performed on the 51 feet sword for which a Mahant was called from Ayodha in Uttar Pradesh.

Notably, Balasaheb Thackeray’s son Jaidev Thackeray came to show his support and shared the stage with Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde during the Dussehra rally at Mumbai’s MMRDA ground.

Addressing the crowd, Shinde hit back at Thackeray and said, “They call me ‘Katappa’. I want to tell you, that even ‘Katappa’ had self-respect and was not double standard like you. This is not your (Uddhav Thackeray) private Limited company. The Shiv Sena is of shiv-sainiks who have given their sweat for it. Not for people like you, who did partnerships and sold it.”

Shinde lambasted his former party leader, Uddhav Thackeray, over the alliance with Congress and called him a traitor. “Balasaheb Thackeray made an alliance with BJP. You did gaddari, we are not gaddar. You have committed a sin… Go apologies to Balasaheb samadhi at Shivaji park”.

Shinde further lauded his governance and said that while Uddhav Thackeray betrayed the people of Maharashtra and sold the ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray, he has brought about a revolution. “You point at us for stealing your father but you have sold your father and the packed ground here is an example of it,” he said.

Shiv Sena’s Shinde faction leader Ramdas Kadam called out Uddhav Thackeray saying, “Even your brother, cousins or Raj Thackeray are not with you Uddhav Ji, if you cannot even keep your family intact, how will you keep the state intact?”

Eknath Shinde took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on June 30 earlier this year. This came after a faction of Shiv Sena under Shinde shifted the alliance to Bharatiya Janata Party BJP from MVA. (ANI)

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BJP's Pankaja Munde On Dussehra Rallies

Our Rally Is Not Political: BJP’s Pankaja Munde On Dussehra Rallies

By LokMarg

Maharashtra BJP leader and former minister Pankaja Munde on Wednesday said that she would like to hear both Shiv Sena factions in their respective Dussehra rallies and extend good wishes to them.

Talking to the media, Pankaja Munde said that her party’s rally is not political but for the common people of society.
Notably, the Dussehra rallies of Eknath Shinde-led Sena and Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena are to be held today at different venues in Maharashtra after a months-long tug of war over the rally. The Bombay High Court ruled in favor of the Thackeray-led Sena faction and allowed them to hold the Dussehra rally at the Shivaji Park on September 23.

The tussle between the Shinde-led faction and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray-led faction was on for weeks and the decision came only after multiple brawls came to the fore.

“We talk about the subjects on which our supporters and unprivileged people expect from us. Our rally is not a political rally, but I would like to hear both factions. Let’s see on which issues they are going to talk,” Pankaja Munde said.

Pankaja Munde said that our rally is to be held in the crowded district, our rally is not for the political but for the common society.

Pankaja, talking about the real ‘Sena’ said that she would not speak anything about it. “I will not say anything about this as I consider myself too small to comment on it.”

There are three Dussehra rallies to be held in Maharashtra today, one in the Beed district and two in Mumbai.

Earlier on Monday, both the Shiv Sena factions released video trailers of the rally that would be conducted at two different venues in accordance with the court decision. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s led-faction was seen drawing parallels between both groups.

Releasing a video on a social media platform, the group called for people’s presence in numbers at Bombay Kurla Complex. It also mentioned that national issues would be discussed during the gathering and inspirational speeches would be given that would last as an oxygen supply for one whole year. The teaser also stressed party workers and appreciation of their efforts.

Comparing the other side, the video made a veiled attack and showed words that the other section will focus on including betrayal, manhood, etc.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction will also hold a Dussehra rally at Shivaji park, Dadar. Their teaser starts with the voice of Uddhav Thackeray quoting Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj stating that one should never backstab but if one does then one should not be left alive.

Calling the event historic, the Shiv Sena leader stressed that he has nothing left for himself but only the power that people have given him. He further goes on to call the gathering a full-packed event of his “Thackeray family”, and says that every attendee has Bala Saheb Thackeray in their heart and the bond is unbreakable.

The video ends with excerpts of former CM Thackeray’s interview instructing the attendees on responsible and disciplined behavior during the celebrations at the rally. NCP leaders, on the other hand, aligned with the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction.

“There’ll be 2 Dussehra rallies in Maharashtra. One that will be as per the ideals of Bala Saheb Thackeray is a rally by Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. Though matter related to real Shiv Sena is pending with ECI, as per NCP, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena is real Shiv Sena,” said NCP leader M Tapse.

Earlier Shinde on Sunday said that they will not challenge the Bombay High Court’s decision in the Supreme Court for allowing the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction to hold the Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.

“We respect the Bombay High Court’s decision and will not challenge it in the Supreme Court,” said Shinde. (ANI)

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Shinde on ram mandir

Shinde’s Security Beefed Up Amid Death Threat

By LokMarg

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s security has been beefed up following inputs about a threat to his life.

“I don’t pay attention to it.” Our home department and home minister, Devendra Fadanavis, are capable and we trust them. I won’t be scared of such threats. Nobody can stop me from working for the public. I will continue to work for them, “said Shinde.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday instructed police officials to tighten up Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s security in the wake of repeated threats to the latter, said sources.

Fadnavis also asked the Director General of Police (DGP), Mumbai Commissioners of Police (CP), and Intelligence Commissioner to put a high-level team to find out the culprit.

“Maharashtra Deputy CM gave instructions to tighten up CM Eknath Shinde’s security and asked DGP, CP Mumbai, and commissioner intelligence to put a high-level team to find out the culprit in the wake of repeated threats to the CM,” informed Maharashtra Home Department sources. (ANI)

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Uddhav Dig at shinde

SC Allows EC To Decide Which Faction Is The Real Shiv Sena

By LokMarg

The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to decide on rival claims made by groups led by Uddhav Thackeray and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on which faction is the real Shiv Sena.

A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud declined to stay proceedings before the Election Commission on the Shinde group’s claim for recognition as the ‘real’ Shiv Sena.
The bench also comprising Justices MR Shah, Krishna Murari, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha rejected the plea of the Uddhav Thackeray group seeking a stay on proceedings before the EC till the Supreme Court decides on the main issue pending before it.

“We direct that there would be no stay of the proceedings before the Election Commission of India. Accordingly, the Interlocutory Application is dismissed,” the bench stated in its order after a day-long hearing.

The ECI will now also look at the issue of allotment of Shiv Sena’s traditional bow and arrow symbol of the party.

Earlier, the apex court had verbally asked the poll panel to not take any precipitative action on the issue.

Thackeray group had filed an application before the top court seeking direction to restrain the Election Commission from deciding the claim raised by the Shinde faction for recognition as the official Shiv Sena party.

During the hearing, Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Thackeray group, argued that Shinde has incurred disqualification as his various acts amount to voluntary giving up of the party membership under Paragraph 2(1)(a) of the Tenth Schedule and also he has violated the party whip.

He said that allowing the Election Commission to decide Shinde’s claim can result in “irreparable damage” to the Thackeray group.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi also appearing for the Thackeray camp contended that “In whatever form the Shiv Sena exists today, they have no claim that they have merged with the BJP. You (Shinde group) have left the Shiv Sena, but you want the goodwill of Shiv Sena and so you won’t merge.”

Senior advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul, appearing for the Shinde group, claimed that over 1.5 lakh party members had sent their representations to the Election Commission supporting the Shinde group.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Maharashtra Governor, told the bench that the Election Commission should be allowed to discharge its duties.

He said, “This is a political question and it is not the first time that such a split has happened and to decide which faction is the real party. It is the election commission which is equipped to look into this.”

The top court is seized of several petitions filed by rival groups of Shiv Sena in relation to the Maharashtra political crisis.

In August, the top court’s three-judge bench had referred to a five-judge Constitution bench the issues involved in the petition filed by rival groups of Shiv Sena in relation to the Maharashtra political crisis.

Earlier, the Supreme Court three-judge bench had said that some of the issues involved in the Maharashtra political crisis may require a larger Constitutional bench for consideration.

It had also asked the Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Rahul Narwekar not to take any action on the new disqualification notices issued against the members of Shiv Sena. There are various petitions pending before the apex court filed by both the factions of Shiv Sena.

Thackeray-led faction had approached the top court challenging the Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari’s decision to invite Eknath Shinde to form the government and also the Speaker’s election and floor test. Later they had challenged the Shinde group approaching poll panel claiming they are ‘real’ Shiv Sena.

They had also challenged the newly appointed Maharashtra Assembly Speaker’s action recognising the whip of the Eknath Shinde group as the whip of Shiv Sena. The plea said the newly appointed Speaker has no jurisdiction to recognise whips nominated by Shinde as Uddhav Thackeray is still the head of the Shiv Sena official party.

Thackeray camp’s Sunil Prabhu had filed a plea seeking suspension from the Maharashtra Assembly of new Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and 15 rebel MLAs against whom disqualification pleas are pending.

Shinde groups challenged the disqualification notices issued by the Deputy Speaker to 16 rebel MLAs as well as the appointment of Ajay Choudhary as Shiv Sena Legislature Party leader, is also pending before the apex court.

On June 29, the top court gave a go-ahead to the floor test in the Maharashtra Assembly on June 30. Refusing to stay the Maharashtra Governor’s direction to the then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to prove his majority support on the floor of the House on June 30, the bench had issued notice on Prabhu’s plea against floor test.

After the apex court’s order, Uddhav Thackeray announced his resignation as the Chief Minister and Eknath Shinde was later sworn in as the Chief Minister.

On June 27, the top court granted interim relief to Shinde and other rebel MLAs to file their reply to disqualification notices issued to them by Deputy Speaker by July 12, 5.30 pm. Earlier, Deputy Speaker had granted them time to file a reply by June 27, 5.30 pm. (ANI)

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Bombay HC: Uddhav-Led Sena To Hold Dussehra Rally At Shivaji Park

By LokMarg

After allowing the amendment in the petition, the Bombay High Court on Friday ruled in favor of the Shiv Sena and allowed the Uddhav Thackeray faction to hold the Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park.

The tussle between the Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led faction and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray-led faction was in full pace for weeks and the decision came only after thorough brawls came to the fore.
Shiv Sena leader Anil Parab confirmed the development and said that the permission was given for a duration of five days starting October 2.

“Today High Court decided that Shiv Sena’s Dussehra rally will be held at Shivaji Park. It’s been happening since 1966. We presented Shiv Sena’s history before the court. The HC rejected law and order situation raised by BMC. Shiv Sena has permission to hold a rally from October 2 to 6,” said Parab.

He also stressed about the ongoing turbulence around the “real Shiv Sena” and highlighted the court’s take on it.

“Sada Sarvankar filed an intervention petition before HC seeking objection on which faction is the real Shiv Sena. HC said it’s not their right (to decide) but the Supreme Court and Election Commission of India’s right,” he added.

He also listed the Sena’s stance to approach the apex court and said, “We’ll see in Supreme Court, will fight there too.”

The BMC had refused to give permission to the two factions for holding the rally, based on the local police’s report which said that the event may cause law and order problems in the area.

Shiv Sena has been holding the rally on Dussehra every year since 1966. The event is significant this year as Sena is now split up into two factions and the rally was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Uddhav Thackeray, in August, took a dig at Shinde, stating the party is not sure whether it will get permission for the event. Thackeray went on to say that whatever happens, he will hold a Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park

“Shiv Sena’s Dussehra rally will be held at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. Shiv Sainiks from all over the state will reach for this rally. We do not know these technical things whether the government will give permission or not. We will hold the rally. It doesn’t matter to us whether others will hold rallies or not. Shiv Sena has grown not by traitors but by the blood of Shiv Sainiks,” Thackeray had said addressing workers of his party.

Thackeray had said that a lot is happening in Maharashtra about which he will speak at the Dussehra rally.

Dussehra will be celebrated on October 5 this year. (ANI)

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Will JP Nadda Come Out Of Shah’s Shadow?

By Anita Katyal

The humiliating defeat suffered by the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Delhi assembly election has not proved to be an auspicious beginning for the party’s month-old president JP Nadda. Though it is true that it was Union Home Minister Amit Shah who led the party’s high-decibel campaign in Delhi, history books will record the result as BJP’s first electoral drubbing under Nadda’s stewardship.

Out of power for over two decades, the BJP was predictably desperate to take control in Delhi. But the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party proved to be a formidable opponent and the BJP fell by the wayside once again.

Well before Nadda took over as the BJP’s 11th president, it was widely acknowledged that he will not enjoy the same powers as his predecessor Amit Shah did but, nevertheless, would be called to take responsibility for the party’s poll defeats as well as organisational matters.

Nadda began his tenure with a disadvantage as it is difficult to live up to Shah’s larger-than-life image. Amit Shah, who served as BJP president for five years has easily been the most powerful party head in recent times. Known for his supreme organisational skills, Shah is chiefly responsible for the BJP’s nation-wide expansion, having built a vast network of party workers and put in place formidable election machinery. No doubt Modi’s personality, charisma and famed oratory drew in the crowds but there is no denying that Shah contributed equally to the string of electoral victories notched by the BJP over the last five years.

ALSO READ: Shah Could Be Most Decisive HM

Given that Shah has revamped the party organisation from scratch and placed his loyalists in key positions, there are serious doubts that the affable, low-key and smiling Nadda will be allowed functional autonomy. Will he be able to take independent decisions, will he constantly be looking over his shoulder, will he be allowed to appoint his own team or will he be a lame-duck party president? These are the questions doing the rounds in the BJP as there is all-round agreement that Shah will not relinquish his grip over the party organisation. This was evident in the run-up to the Delhi assembly polls as it was Shah and not Nadda who planned and led the party’s election campaign.

In fact, it is acknowledged that Nadda was chosen to head the BJP precisely because he is willing to play the second fiddle to Shah. Party leaders maintain that the new president is unlikely to make any major changes in the near future and that he will be consulting Shah before taking key decisions. For the moment, state party chiefs appointed by Shah have been re-elected, ensuring that the outgoing party president remains omnipresent.

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Though Nadda has inherited a far stronger party organisation as compared to his earlier predecessors, the new BJP president also faces a fair share of challenges. He has taken over as party chief at a time when the BJP scraped through in the Haryana assembly polls, failed to form a government in Maharashtra and was roundly defeated in Jharkhand. The party’s relations with its allies have come under strain while the ongoing protests against the new citizenship law, the National Register of Citizens and the National Population Register have blotted the BJP’s copybook.

These developments have predictably came as a rude shock to the BJP leadership and its cadres who were convinced that the party was invincible, especially after it came to power for a second consecutive term last May with a massive mandate.

WATCH: Modi Has Woken Up A Sleeping Tiger

Nadda’s first task has been to boost the morale of party workers and make them believe that the recent assembly poll results were a flash in the pan and that the BJP’s expansion plans are on course.

After Delhi, the Bihar election poses the next big challenge this year. The party’s ally, the Janata Dal (U), has upped the ante, meant primarily to mount pressure on the BJP for a larger share of seats in this year’s assembly elections. Realising that the BJP cannot afford to alienate its allies at this juncture, Amit Shah has already declared Nitish Kumar as the coalition’s chief ministerial candidate, which effectively puts the Janata Dal (U) in the driver’s seat. This has upset the BJP’s Bihar unit which has been pressing for a senior role in the state and is even demanding that the next chief minister should be from their party.          

The BJP has to necessarily treat its allies with kid gloves as they have been complaining  about the saffron party’s “big brother” attitude and that they are being taken for granted. While Shiv Sena has already parted company with the BJP, other alliance partners like the Lok Janshakti Party and the Shiromani Akali Dal have also questioned the BJP’s style of functioning.

The crucial West Bengal assembly election next year will also be held during Nadda’s tenure. The BJP has been working methodically on the ground in this state for the past several years now and has staked its prestige on dethroning Mamata Banerjee.

ALSO READ: West Bengal Follows AAP Model

But the Trinamool Congress chief is putting up a spirited fight, sending out a clear message to the BJP that it will not be so easy to oust her. Banerjee has declared war against the Modi government on the issues pertaining to the CAA-NRC-NPR and also activated her party cadres who have spread across the state to explain the implications of the Centre’s decision to the poor and illiterate. The BJP, on the other hand, is struggling to get across its message.

As in the case of Delhi, Shah can be expected to take charge of the Bihar and West Bengal assembly polls while Nadda will, at best, be a marginal player. Again it will be left to Shah to mollify the party’s allies as it is too sensitive and important a task to be handled by Nadda.

Like all political parties led by strong leaders, a BJP defeat will be seen as Nadda’s failure while a victory will be credited to Modi and Shah.