Prime ministerial logic gone with the poll wind

In the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls,the hobnobbing between the Shiv Sena and NCP leaders had led to speculation about a possible tie-up...

In the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls,the hobnobbing between the Shiv Sena and NCP leaders had led to speculation about a possible tie-up between them,especially as the Sena harped on Pawar as a Maratha prime ministerial candidate. However,after the elections were declared and the Sena and NCP assumed their roles as opponents,the Marathi sentiments have waned. Sena executive president Uddhav Thackerays latest take on the issue is: At present there is no Marathi Manoos capable of becoming the prime minister.

Suicides dont sell,he learnt the hard way

After a profit-making Marathi film on Goddess Kalubai,filmmaker Arun Kachare produced a feature film on farmers suicides with a message that they should stop taking their lives. The film,Balirajache Rajya Yevu De Let the kingdom of farmer arrive,flopped at the box office,landing Kachare in heavy debts. He rushed to ruling politicians for help asking them to buy out the film and show it to farmers. He contemplated suicide as his debts piled up and no help was in sight. Now,he has returned to his tried and trusted theme,religion.

Secular cause doesnt hold at grassroots

The differences between the Congress and the NCP,which are allies as well as rivals,are not limited to the choice of the prime ministerial candidate in the event of the UPA retaining power. At the grassroots level,too,the ranks and files of both the parties are not in solidarity with the secular cause in many constituencies and do not help each others candidates. Seniors in the Congress claim the party would have gained more seats by going solo without NCP tie-up. They fear that the NCPs covert tactics to score over the Congress would affect the UPA prospects.

Shiv Senas farmer faux pas in manifesto

In its manifesto,the Shiv Sena has promised to include deserving farmers for Padma awards,little realising that the awards have been given to farmers in the past as well. One such example was Vithalrao Vikhe-Patil,the father of Balasaheb Vikhe-Patil,who was a Sena MP.

Milinds dilemma: to say yes to Gawli or not

Criminal-Turned-Politician and chief of Akhil Bharatiya Sena ABS Arun Gawli,who is in jail under MCOCA,had decided to contest the Lok Sabha poll from Mumbai South. He hobnobbed with BSP leaders for a ticket,but the BSP chose Mohammed Ali Shaikh. Gawli,through his daughter Geeta,a corporator,announced that he would contest as an ABS nominee. However,subsequently,he decided to withdraw from the fray and support high-profile Congress candidate Milind Deora. But Deora has not gone public either to accept or deny ABS support or say anything on how Gawlis support would help him.

MNS: targeting Sena,aiming for 2014 polls

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena,which is contesting a dozen Lok Sabha seats,is poised to act as a spoiler for the poll prospects of the Shiv Sena. Raj Thackeray has said in the past that he is ultimately aiming to emerge as a major political player in the state in the 2014 polls. Hence,at the moment,having hijacked the Senas agenda and attempting to win over Marathi voters by imitating his uncle,he is likely to spoil the Senas chances in a few seats like Mumbai South and Nashik.