In contrast to the jubilant scenes outside the BJP office, the mood outside the Shiv Sena bhavan, the headquarters of the Shiv Sena party is relatively sombre. And just in the adjoining alley the headquarters of the Maharashtra Navriman Sena (MNS) sports a deserted look.
Both the cousins, Uddhav and Raj parted ways in 2006 and Raj Thackeray formed the MNS which played a key role in the 2009 elections but in 2014 with leads only in 5 seats , its future seems uncertain.
"Raj Thackeray had shared with the people his 'blue print' for development which was better than the divisive politics played by other parties but it looks like the 'Modi wave' had its effect here and we were swept by it," an MNS worker said in a candid confession made by a party worker outside the MNS party office.
On the other hand Uddhav Thackeray's party that performed well in the Lok Sabha was certain to form the government but the plans went kaput after the BJP announced in September its decision to contest solo thereby pushing the Sena to rake up the 'sons of the soil' issue. Playing the card of Marathi asmita and trying to get some empathy of being 'abandoned' by the BJP , the Sena tried hard but has managed to get leads in only 61 seats.
"We never abandoned them but they decided to go solo. We have got 61 seats and now the senior leadership will take the decision to extend a hand or not," said a Shiv Sena party worker.
Many here are hopeful that for the sake of 'hindutva' and to ensure that the corrupt parties are not given a second chance, the two parties should reunite but now its a question of who will blink first.
