SP’s rise softens Sena’s Muslim line

However, there has been a visible softening of stance ever since the declaration of mid-term polls. One of the main reasons behind this is the emergence of Mulayam Singh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party (SP) in the metropolis.Earlier, a confident Sena had ignored the SP. But after the last Assembly elections, when three of the SP candidates were elected by a huge margin, Thackeray turned his efforts towards wooing Muslims, who had opted for the SP as an alternative to the Congress.

“If we do not consider the Muslim factor, it will certainly have an adverse impact on the prospects ofthe Sena-BJP nominees in the coming parliamentary elections as the SP has put up its candidates in key constituencies of the metropolis,” said a senior Sena leader.

Indicating his changed attitude at a Press conference at Sena Bhavan earlier this month, Thackeray stated that he was never against those Muslims who had “faith in India”. He added that they should be brought into the mainstream of society to ensure their rapid progress.

Although he was one of the prominent leaders who supported the Babri Masjid demolition, Thackeray has, of late, been suggesting that a national monument should be constructed at the disputed site in Ayodhya. He has added that Muslims and Hindus should both be given sites elsewhere for their worship.Stating that the country was not in a position to survive communal riots once again, Thackeray has urged the need for Hindus and Muslims to live together peacefully.

Despite his changed stance, Thackeray has maintained that unlike Congress leaders including Sitaram Kesri,Ghulam Nabi Azad and Madhavrao Scindia, he has never tried to appease Muslims with an eye on the polls. The need of the hour is to help them merge in the mainstream and it is no use tendering an unconditional apology for the demolition of the Babri Masjid after the elections are declared, he added.

Earlier, during a meeting with some Imams in the presence of Chief Minister Manohar Joshi, Thackeray agreed to consider their demand for increased Floor Space Index for mosques in the metropolis.

His meeting with the Pakistani High Commissioner is the latest attempt in his ongoing pro-Muslim campaign. Notwithstanding the fact that he had earlier criticised Pakistan and its Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) agency, Thackeray spoke to Qazi on the need to improve ties between the two countries.

Thackeray, who had once asked his party workers to damage the pitch at Wankhede stadium where the match between India and Pakistan was to be played, told Qazi that the Sena-BJP alliance government in the State was ready togive a rousing reception to the Pakistani team, if they improved their behaviour and attitude towards India.