Is shiv sena setting the new wave for “Aya Ram, Gaya Ram”?
The Shiv Sena tussle
The Shiv Sena, once known for its dominance in Marathi regional politics, has been facing a series of troubles in recent years. These difficulties have arisen due to various factors, creating a complicated internal situation that has clouded the party’s future.
Under the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray, the party gradually shifted its stance in an attempt to appeal to a wider audience. The party, which was originally founded on the principles of Hindutva and Marathi pride, has faced backlash from hardline Hindutva factions who believe it has strayed from its ideological roots. This internal disagreement has created an ideological divide within the party and has weakened its position in Marathi politics.
The Shiv Sena’s decision to break its long-standing alliance with the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2019 came as a surprise to many. The party formed a coalition with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Indian Congress, a move seen by some as a strategic attempt to counter the BJP’s dominance.
However, others criticized the party for compromising its core principles in favor of political expediency. Amidst these challenges, the Shiv Sena has found itself embroiled in a legal battle over its leadership. Eknath Shinde, a senior Sena leader and former Maharashtra minister, claims to represent the “real” Shiv Sena and has challenged Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership. This internal dispute has spilled into the courts, further deepening the divisions within the party and leaving its future direction uncertain.
The outcome of the ongoing legal battle will undoubtedly shape the party’s trajectory moving forward. It is crucial for the Shiv Sena to find a balance between broadening its appeal and appeasing its hardline supporters, as well as resolving the leadership dispute to unify the party and regain its political standing. The future of the Shiv Sena rests on its ability to overcome these hurdles and reclaim its position as a dominant force in Marathi regional politics. The party’s ability to strike the right balance between its evolving political strategy and its ideological roots will be decisive in determining its future trajectory.
Was the verdict biased?
Soon after the rebellion broke out under the leadership of Ekanth Shinde against Uddhav Thackeray cracking the hard-set cement of the Shiv Sena party and the verdict was passed, questions were raised about its constitutionality. Both the faction filed disqualification petitions against each other’s MLAs on grounds of anti-defection law violations, precisely against 40 MLAs of the rival Sena camp in retaliation to which, the Shinde faction filed petitions against 14 legislators of Uddhav camp, however this merely seemed like a bleat attempt at forcing an external body to pass a verdict binding to ensure validity of one of the two leaders.
The verdict was given by Rahul Narvekar in favour of Ekanth Shinde.
A day after Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led faction was declared the “real” Shiv Sena, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Thursday said the “play was scripted long ago” and what was watched was the “farce” being played out with no recourse
The alliance between Shinde’s Shiv Sena and BJP raises the question of biasness in the Speaker’s decision. It seems like we’re all watching Kind Lear but Ekanth Shinde’s the writer. The 1999 Shiv Sena constitution presented by the Shinde faction and having support of the 37 of 55 MLAs when rival factions emerged[1], was accepted as basis for granting status of being the “real” Shiv Sena.
The tenth schedule deals with the anti-defection laws putting forth the circumstances for a Member Legislative Assemble or Member Parliament to lose his powers as an Elected Representative of a party and so be excluded from the party. However, this can’t be used to undermine the decision of a larger group of party, leaving it due to ideological differences.
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“If some members go overboard, leading to indiscipline, then the party can take care of such member either by warning or suspension. The 10th Shedule is not intended to be used as a device to be used for imposing intra party discipline. Much less for administering the party. No party leadership can use the provisions of the 10th schedule as a deterrent to stifle the collective dissent of a larger number of members by threatening them with disqualification under the 10th schedule” speaker [2]
The main dispute revolved around whether Shinde’s faction absence from the meeting called by Sunil Prabhu who was the whip of the party, was adequate to constitute as indiscipline and if it could be considered as defection. The ring master holds the whip but who does the lion listen to when there are two whips in the ring? The political ring of Shiv Sena had Sunil Prabhu on one side and Bharat Goghavle on the other. The Speaker drew upon the concept of “real” shiv sena and justified that Prabhu seized to be the whip after the split and Goghavle’s appointment as the new chief whip was valid.
The Speaker’s verdict in favor of Shinde’s faction in all aspects seems too good to be true, bringing about suspicion about the close-knit connections between BJP and Shinde’s alliance, along with their connection to the Speaker. Shinde’s alliance with the largest ruling party, Bhartiya Janta Party is suspected to have weighed the decision in Shinde’s favor.
“when Modiji said na khaunga na khaana doonga their ally in power, shiv sena heard: Tum mujhe favours do, main tumhein clearances doonga.” Tweeted by Priyanka Chaturvedi
Moreover, Shinde’s meeting with Rahul Narvekar three days prior to the verdict seemed to push them into the direction of even more suspicion.
Is Shiv Sena a successor of Aya Ram Gaya Ram?
The never-ending Shiv Sena internal brawl, with Eknath Shinde leading a rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray’s rule, has sparked fresh debates about political turncoats and their effect on Indian democracy. The ghost of the notorious “Aya Ram Gaya Ram” trend from the swinging 60s is back, making us wonder if these two scenarios are cut from the same cloth. Although there are some similarities, a deeper analysis uncovers important differences that create a colourful mosaic of today’s political terrain.
Deep down, the Shiv Sena case and the Aya Ram Gaya Ram era are like two peas in a pod, dealing with the never-ending drama of politicians jumping ship and changing their party colours midway through their term. Back in the swinging 60s, this defection frenzy was running wild in Indian politics, especially in Uttar Pradesh. It was like a game of political hopscotch, where cunning lawmakers, enticed by personal gains or tempted by rival parties, would hop from one side to another faster than a rabbit on roller skates. The term “Aya Ram Gaya Ram” hilariously summed up this chaotic dance of loyalty, exposing the sheer absurdity and opportunism that lay beneath these shenanigans.
The situation surrounding the Shiv Sena case is notably intricate. In contrast to previous instances of widespread and sometimes unethical party-switching, the current disagreement arises from ideological and strategic disparities within the party. Shinde and his followers argue that the party has deviated from its fundamental Hindutva and Marathi Manvad principles, especially through its alliance with the ideologically divergent Congress and NCP. This ideological divide has materialized in a legal struggle for authority over the party symbol and leadership, further legitimizing the conflict.
The rise of Intra-Party Dissent
Furthermore, the Shiv Sena case reflects a growing trend of intra-party dissent in Indian politics. Leaders facing internal challenges are increasingly finding themselves vulnerable to revolts from within their own ranks. This is partly due to a changing political climate, where personal ambitions and ideological fissures play a more prominent role than blind party loyalty. The rise of regional aspirations and identity-based politics also adds fuel to the fire, creating fertile ground for intra-party power struggles.
Although the two situations may seem different at first glance, there are undeniable similarities that connect them. In both cases, defections occur, posing a threat to the stability of governments and undermining the trust people have in their elected officials. The Shiv Sena case, reminiscent of the Aya Ram Gaya Ram era, brings to light the worrisome impact of money, power, and personal ambition on political decision-making. Moreover, these incidents shed light on the urgent requirement for strong anti-defection laws and more stringent enforcement measures to prevent opportunistic floor-crossing.
However, to reduce the Shiv Sena case to a mere rehash of Aya Ram Gaya Ram would be a gross oversimplification. The contemporary political landscape is far more nuanced, characterized by ideological complexities and intra-party dynamics that were less prevalent in the past. Recognizing these distinctions is crucial to understanding the true nature of the current conflict and its implications for Indian democracy.
Moving forward
The Shiv Sena case stands as a powerful reminder of the hurdles that Indian democracy must overcome. Tackling these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that encompasses various strategies. Strengthening the laws against defection, promoting transparency and accountability within political parties, and fostering a culture of political integrity are all vital steps towards progress. Ultimately, the responsibility lies not only with the politicians but also with the citizens to strive for a political system that is more ethical and representative, one that can withstand the temptations of defections and internal conflicts.
In essence, the Shiv Sena case serves as a wake-up call, drawing parallels to the infamous Aya Ram Gaya Ram phenomenon. However, it is crucial to recognize that the current political landscape is far more intricate and nuanced. By refraining from oversimplifying the situation and acknowledging the ever-evolving nature of political defections, we can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges at hand. It is only through a holistic approach and a genuine commitment to change that we can pave the way for a more robust and resilient political system.
Akanksha Gupta intern at Fastrack Legal Solutions
B.A (Hons) Political Science
1st year LLB
[1] https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/shiv-sena-mla-disqualification-eknath-shinde-uddhav-thackeray-maharashtra-speaker-decision-246382?infinitescroll=1
[2] https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/shiv-sena-mla-disqualification-eknath-shinde-uddhav-thackeray-maharashtra-speaker-decision-246382?infinitescroll=1
