Q. How do you look at the developments in Maharashtra?
A. We have seen this kind of situation in the past with the Shiv Sena. And we have also seen what was the result. This time, the situation is a little different. In the past, when I was Congress chief minister, Chhagan Bhujbal joined us with 19 MLAs. We had to give them full protection for six months. Ultimately, only one of them could win the elections again in 1995. Even Bhujbal lost. My observation is that people do not like this kind of mass exodus. This is defection.
Q. The Shiv Sena clearly does not have the numbers right now.
A. It is not a question of the Shiv Sena alone, this is a three-party government of the Shiv Sena, the NCP and the Congress. As of now, it looks like there are 38 or 39 MLAs from the Shiv Sena who have gone to the other side. Ultimately, it is a coalition government. It will affect all three parties. We have to admit that if the same situation continues, the results will not be favourable for us. But there is also the possibility that some MLAs are in touch with the Shiv Sena leadership and with some of us. They said it was difficult for them to leave right now as they were surrounded by the police and BJP workers. So unless and until they reach here (Mumbai), it will be difficult for us to discuss things with them. We are confident that the moment they come here, they will tell us that they were taken away forcibly and that they are with the Shiv Sena.
Q. Do you think the BJP is behind all this?
Denne historien er fra July 10, 2022-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
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Denne historien er fra July 10, 2022-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
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A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock
