Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts Brand Story
Senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are shrewd political leaders. There is a striking similarity between them. Both are ambitious and strong contenders for the prime ministership after Narendra Modi. Both are workaholics, diplomatic and aggressive. To complete any political job, a drive and risk-taking tendency is required, and both possess these qualities.
Shah was extended for some time before he became the Union Home Minister. As such he has not only knowledge of information, but knows the minute details of the underworld and has first-hand experience.
As against this, Fadnavis is studious and a law practitioner. He also has the backing of the Sangh Parivar. Compared to Shah he is much younger and physically fit. The reason for this comparison is that it is certain that Fadnavis was given the Deputy Chief Ministership intentionally by Shah to clip his wings. Both the leaders are poles apart and even the fire does not pass between them. These stories were already published by the Sprouts earlier.
Today neo-Hindutva protagonists are up in arms against Shah and they have termed this as an insult to Brahmins. The Sangh Parivar and Brahmin groups have openly protested against the demotion of Fadnavis.
Basically, Fadnavis and his team have a lion’s share in engineering defection in the Shiv Sena camp and making Eknath Shinde defect with 40 Shiv Sena MLAs. Shinde’s jurisdiction does not cross the Thane boundary. He had not dreamt that he would become the chief minister. Fadnavis gave him a surprising gift and made his dream fulfilled.
However, Shah distanced Fadnavis after “Operation Shiv Sena” was completed. Fadnavis wept inconsolably. But he is ambitious and dedicated. As such he will be required to adopt a “Wait and Watch” policy for some time since he has no alternative. However, the same Fadnavis can make his detractors weep after his target is in his range.
The possibility of Fadnavis helping Uddhav Thackeray tacitly cannot be ruled out.
It is also not impossible going by the proverb “enemy’s enemy is my friend”. If the mid-term polls are announced, the Shiv Sena will receive tremendous public sympathy.
The internal backing by Fadnavis and people’s sympathy can revitalize the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi. In that case, the BJP and Shinde faction combination can come to an end. This is just a possibility. But it is certain that Fadnavis will peacefully face this negative phase.
If Devendra Fadnavis reacts angrily to this new dispensation, then he himself can face ED inquiry. Because he also is not a totally clean man and Modi and Shah are practical and mature politicians.
