Raj Thakeray and MNS have lost their electoral virginity and in style

Though it was predicted by pundits that MNS would eat into NDA votes, nobody dreamed of the unprecedented way in which MNS not only ate into NDA votes but also their seats thus handing Shiv Sena their worst loss in twenty years. For a party that is only three and a half years old, this calls for celebration.

A party that has nothing to show for itself other than violence, goondaism, histronics of their leader, and highhandedness of its cadre has clearly hijacked these elections emerging as the second biggest party. The credit for their victory goes to Raj Thackeray (or is it Rajsaheb Thackeray already?) who literally brought up a party on an idea hijacked from his uncle, turned the tables on his cousin, led a revival of "Maharashtrian" pride (that is what they call beating up of north Indians nowadays) and thus stoking the feel good factor behind Marathi pride led his party to victory in 14 seats. The road to Assembly for MNS though rough and rubble strewn was quite easy compared to the future. The time for stage performance is over and real performance begins.

You can build castles in the sky and lead on a population with those promises, but you cannot sustain on it for long. Hatred and false pride won it 14 seats, but now they have to show the returns. Now starts the real test for Raj and his party. The people have put him in Assembly, and now its his turn to give them their dues.

Just as a bride is scrutinized and critiqued in her in-laws' house, MNS' conduct in Assembly would be minutely scrutinized by political pundits, journalists, and common people alike. Their support or nonsupport for issues that come up and their stand on critical matters will be discussed. Any false moves would be criticized harshly. For the sake of Marathi manoos, I just hope Raj and MNS deliver. The Marathi manoos has already gone through a lot (for a major part, they only have themselves to blame) and for them MNS is a beacon of hope. If MNS fizzles out on their promises just like its big brother Shiv Sena (promises galore, delivery none), then I am not sure what would happen next. MNS is in an enviable position where it has the respect and trust of a disgruntled populace and they should use that to encourage them in a constructive manner, push them towards academic progress, and restore Mumbai to the Bombay it was (though i dont want the name to be changed - name "Mumbai" has kind of grown on me). Now that the proverbial Chor is the Kotwal, I would hope we will see some reduction in the sectional violence and peace restored to the place I hold dear in my heart - Amchi Mumbai. Jai Maharashtra.