MUMBAI : Saffron flags waving high amidst thunderous sloganeering by Shiv Sainiks defined the mood at the Shiv Sena Bhavan, the party headquarter at Dadar, located in the heart of the city.
It was a power-packed evening at Sena Bhavan. The atmosphere was full of vigour and hope with a large number of party workers assembled outside crying out loudly, trademark Sena slogan, “Jai Bhawani, Jai Shivaji” which further accentuated the intensity.
The aggression and frustration among the party workers was evident in the sloganeering. Slogans were shouted against the BJP government and PM Modi. Amit Shah seemed to be a prime target of the angry Sainiks. However, the NCP which was at least shown as a major bone of contention did not receive any flak from the workers.
The voices from the grassroots exemplified sheer annoyance and dissent.
The party workers at lower ranks were ready to see the party sitting on the opposition benches and fight it out on the streets. “The Shiv Sena should keep up the morale. Our pride and dignity are of utmost importance,” said a shakha pramukh.
The police force had a tough time handling the aggressive workers on one hand and the insistent media on the other. Tempers were running high amid which party supremo Uddhav Thackeray made an entry, the crowd was even more jubilant now.
The television media and photographers jostled for that ‘perfect’ shot capturing the mood of the leader.
Uddhav entered the conference hall with his MLAs along with senior Sena leaders.
The exuberant legislators looked satisfied, firmly standing behind their leader recapturing lost pride and self esteem. After the press conference, a small coterie of leaders, in a subdued manner were discussing the continuing humiliation and ill-treatment from the BJP and seemed to be content with the party’s tough stand.
Some leaders were happy that the party has invoked an ideological stance which will lead to chaos and panic amongst the BJP cadres across the state.
However, the leadership was more in line with the party chief’s reconciliatory stance.
A Sena MLA requesting anonymity said, “We have unanimously decided to wait for two more days,” indicating that the talks still have not reached breaking point and there is hope.
– Ajinkya Gaikwad