The BJP-RPI-Shiv Sena Maha-morcha on Thursday was supposed to be a show of strength and was meant to take on the government over issues of inefficiency and corruption. Instead, it ended up as an exercise in assuring the state’s Dalits of an alternative alliance that they can vote for.
Leaders of the saffron parties heaped praises on RPI chief Ramdas Athavale, listing all that he has done for the Dalit community. They also reminded him of the injustice meted out to him by the Congress and the NCP. They used the occasion to assure him that he would be “taken care of” better than before.
Leader of the opposition and BJP leader Eknath Khadse used his entire speech to recite a list of schemes started by the Sena-BJP government for the benefit of Dalits, tribals and the backward classes.
“The Congress and the NCP used the RPI’s votes but gave it nothing in return. Money which was supposed to be used for various Dalit welfare schemes was diverted elsewhere,” he said.
Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, too, did his bit to put Athavale on a pedestal. “The Congress and the NCP will now understand your importance,” he said to Athavale. “The parties consist of people who will not hesitate to betray even their parents. They disrespected you by backstabbing you during the Lok Sabha elections. Bheem sainiks and Shiv sainiks will jointly teach them a lesson.”
He blamed the Congress and the NCP for the long-time antagonism between the RPI and the Sena. “They created such situations that forced us to be on opposite sides. But this approach will no longer work. We have to unite and work as a cohesive unit,” said Thackeray.
Athavale, in his trademark poetic style, sent out a message to the Congress and the NCP that he had joined hands with the Sena to avenge the wrongs done to him by his earlier partners. “This alliance is not only for electoral gains, but it’s a process of social integration. After my meeting with the Sena chief, all my doubts about the party were cleared. We are sure that our flags will fly high on the state assembly after the 2014 elections,” he said.
Refuting claims that he does not enjoy the support of the entire Dalit community, he said that the support he has is enough to change the government.
