06 December,2010 07:07 AM IST | | Varun Singh
Gives space to Hindi and English along with Marathi in its posters to share its ideology with common people
Born for the cause of Marathi, Shiv Sena is now ready to broaden its vision.
The recent posters put up regarding the proposal by the president of Yuva Sena, Aditya Thackeray, in support of reservations in trains for senior citizens and students are in three languages Marathi, English and Hindi.
The addition of English and Hindi in the posters has raised many eyebrows in political circles.
A Shiv Sena hoarding at Parel with messages in Marathi, Hindi and English
Party sources said that even within the Sena, many couldn't understand the reason behind a banner sporting three languages. "There were talks of adding even Gujarati to the hoardings," said a source.
"There is a reason to add the other two languages to the hoardings.
Our party is open for all, but there is always a misconception among people that one has to be a Marathi to join us," said Abhijit Adsul, an MLA from Sena and also the core committee member of the Yuva Sena.
"Not many are fluent in Marathi, so they do not get our messages and do not understand our ideology. With other languages we are trying to attract people from all spheres."
Shiv Sena has primarily had a Marathi vote base. However, after MNS came into being, the Marathi votes got divided in the last two elections and even during the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation elections.
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It is believed that Sena is thus now looking to expand its vote base. With Hindi, they want to attract North Indian voters.
By using English, they are targeting the educated class, which for a very long time chose the national parties over regional parties.
However, Adsul denies losing any vote base.
"There are many people who have migrated to Mumbai in the last few years and aren't comfortable with the language, hence our ideology doesn't reach many people. Our motive is that our messages should reach the common public," he said.
"However, unlike others we don't use Marathi for politics. Our agenda has always been Marathi. We have fought for its development and not to gain political mileage."
Others feel that the party is now looking for voters outside the Marathi clan. Anurag Chaturvedi, a political analyst, said, "The votes have already been divided in Mumbai.
This initiative is being taken keeping in mind the 2012 BMC elections.
There are many wards where the support of Christians and North Indians plays a crucial role. Without their support the party won't be able to make it to power."
