Bal Thackeray takes a dig at LK Advani

After senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janaya Party (BJP), it is Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s turn to take potshots at LK Advani. Thackeray on Monday indirectly blamed Advani for “poor communication” between Sena and the BJP, who are allies in the state since 1986.

“When Atalji and Pramod (Mahajan) were around, it was different. There were meetings and talks, at least on telephone,” Thackeray stated in an editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamana. He taunted that Advani must be hurt that people have accepted a “weak” prime minister in Manmohan Singh.

“Till yesterday, you (Advani) were the prime ministerial candidate and were referring to Manmohan Singh as a weak prime minister, but people rejected an ‘iron man’ like you and accepted a ‘weak’ prime minister like Manmohan Singh, so you must be feeling hurt,” he quipped.

Thackeray said that he was worried about the crisis in the BJP, but hoped that it would not impact the party in Maharashtra, which will go to polls in a month. “It is natural that you are feeling low after losing the elections, but you should rise from the crisis,” Thackeray urged.

He compared BJP’s state with that of a parrot in an Akbar-Birbal tale. “The kind of news that emanates on a daily basis about that party is bound to create an atmosphere of concern. Rivals are saying BJP has become like the dead parrot in the Akbar-Birbal tale, but I do not think so. The parrot may not be dead but its movements have slowed down. It does not eat, its eyes are closed. It is a matter of concern. But I have no doubt that the parrot will soar again.” When he called the BJP a parrot, Thackeray likened Sena to an eagle, and expressed confidence that the “dead parrot” will rise again and fly with the eagle.

Thackeray’s statements show that the Sena is worried about BJP’s performance in the assembly elections, sources said.

“Sena is concerned that the BJP may not do as well as them in the elections. BJP’s performance might shatter the alliance’s dream to return to power after a gap of 10 years. That is why saheb (Thackeray) has expressed hopes that the crisis in the BJP will not have an impact in Maharashtra,” a source from Sena said.