This has reference to your editorial ‘Continuing Charisma of Balasaheb works’ (ADC, Feb. 18). There is no doubt that Balasaheb’s towering presence has made the difference. But the role of Uddhav has also been responsible for Shiv Sena retaining the power, which was facing stiff challenge by Congress-NCP combine. Uddhav’s no nonsense style is working for Shiv Sena and people who value action than hollow rhetoric are biting it. Uddhav’s assertion to appoint citizen’s charter committee is a welcome step and will go a long way in interactive politics. Uddhav’s mild manners in comparison to his estranged cousin should not be perceived to be his weakness, but a response of a mature man who will not ‘tongue lash’ opponents for populist reasons.
Rightly, he has stressed the need to fulfill the promises Shiv Sena has made in the poll manifesto. We hope he not only changes the face of Mumbai but will walk the talk in the times to come.
— Ashok Goswami, Mumbai
The ADC editorial rightly presented the facts and figures of BMC elections status of the parties in fray. It’s no doubt that Balasaheb’s existing charisma, which was evident in the results when Shiv Sena’s campaign this election was not on its top and the analysis of political pundits was also not in favor, as they predicted a rout out for Shiv Sena this election. And the congress is clearly not a voters’ preference in the ongoing scenario with all the scams and it’s leaders under scanner. And Raj Thackeray remains a king maker again. Other parties like NCP has nothing much to reckon.
Over all, the low vote is due to the ignorance of the frustrated middle class while the lower class aggressively voted to pin on their right to hope. While the parties keep hopes for next election, the ordinary man remain hopeless not finding a ‘leader’ to take the nation forward!
— Govindan Unny, Malad
‘Congress defeated by Congress’ (ADC, Feb. 18) pronounced by Narayan Rane deserves to be hailed as the quotation of the decade for the unadulterated truth it carries. The Industries Minister is also right in pointing out that the Congress did not take the civic elections seriously since all its attention was focussed on UP which went into the polls simultaneously. No leader from Delhi thought it fit to campaign in Mumbai whereas Balasaheb did not leave any stone unturned and all the Thackerays threw themselves in to see that their fortress is not disturbed even slightly. To make things worse for the Congress, the up-and-coming MNS ate into the votes of the national party and gained 21more seats than its score in 2007. The loss of a third of the 76 seats it had won in 2007 cannot be digested so easily at a time when the Congress-NCP combine is ruling the state. Some sincere soul-searching by the Congress is called for if this is not to be allowed to be repeated in the parliamentary elections in 2014.
— Dr. V. Subramanyan, Dombivli
Poor turn out of voters made the BMC election topsy turvy. Saffron swing upsets both Congress and the NCP whereas MNS got into the Cong-NCP pockets and won Marathi votes. Strongest coalition of Congress and NCP was made to eat humble pie as Shiv Sena forged ahead with 75 seats and its main ally BJP 32 seats. Despite Congress getting 50 seats its ally, NCP could muster only 14 seats, thus pushing them to the second spot. Surmounting anti-incumbency factor and stiff challenge from MNS, the Shiv Sena - BJP alliance has retained the BMC. It is also able to get larger share of neighbouring Thane with the help of independents though the future looked uncertain for the Saffron Party.
— C.K. Subramaniam, Sanpada
The outcome of the recently concluded municipal polls has thrown up diametrically opposite results in Mumbai and Nasik. Whereas in the former, the Saffron alliance has emerged as the largest single entity, just short of a simple majority; that honour has been bestowed upon the MNS in the case of the latter. Though the two parties do not see eye to eye, the political compulsions of running the show in the two cities can force them to come to the negotiating table. The SS-BJP can rule the BMC with the outside support of the MNS and the latter can take over the reins of Nasik Corporation with the Sena-BJP combine in a prop up role.
— Arun Malankar, Santacruz
There is not need for any celebration of SS-BJP victory in civic elections of Mumbai city, as the SS-BJP does not have clear majority and have no alternative to depend of Independent candidates, because one thing is sure that Raj Thackeray’s Mahrashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) who have criticised the inefficient and corrupt SS-BJP ruling the BMC for last five years will never support them and prefer to sit in the opposition along with Congress-NCP hanging like a sword over their and will not allow them to take independent decision on various important issues.
This is the first time in the history of BMC that the people of city have displayed strong opposition and handled the ruling party with an iron hand. Looking at the future of the SS-BJP in the BMC, it is going to be bumpy ride with lots of hurdles to rule the city and any mistake on their part may lead to a fall of the SS-BJP alliance.
— Bhagwan Thadani, Mumbai