Raj Thackeray pits lion against Bal Thackeray's tiger

New Delhi, Jan 12: Raj Thackeray is trying his utmost to occupy the void created in Maharashtra politics by his uncle Bal Thackeray.The latest attempt is a bit amusing but completely in sync with the political philosophy that Raj practices. MNS released new posters of Raj Thackeray on Friday with a ferocious lion in the background. The new posters of Raj clearly resembled to the photographs of his late uncle Bal Thackeray that always had a tiger in the background.It's an open secret that Raj has always given an impression of being a true inheritor of Bal Thackeray's legacy. Raj sounds a copy of Bal Thackeray in terms of acerbic language, public display of aggression and defiance.The new strategy seems to be a well crafted move to send out right signals to the electorate so that they look upon MNS as the true heir to Bal Thackeray's legacy and political philosophy. The posters were finalized after due deliberations. Raj Thackeray himself had a close look at the posters and he gave his nod for the use of these posters on Thursday at the Dadar office of MNS. These posters were used at Azad Maidan for the Friday rally, a weekly event for MNS.MNS is now contemplating permanent insertion of lion in the backdrop for all pictures of Raj Thackeray.MNS leadership has sniffed an opportunity for presenting themselves as the true inheritor of Bal Thackeray primarily because Uddhav Thackeray has failed to publically display the same aggression and defiance. In fact, Uddhav is calm and sober by nature and it gives Raj Thackeray a clear edge over him in presenting himself as the true inheritor of his uncle's legacy.Although there is no official confirmation over the new posters becoming the official posters of the party, many MNS leaders are of the opinion that the party cadre has really liked these new posters and it was an instant hit at Azad Maidan rally. Bal Thackeray's entire political career was based on aggression and negative campaigning. First he targeted South Indians, then Muslims, Bangladeshi immigrants and labourers from UP and Bihar in recent times. Uddhav Thackeray, on the other hand, is trying to appear more reasonable with a rational and logical approach towards political issues. And this mild approach of Uddhav has presented a god send opportunity for Raj Thackeray.Raj Thackeray is also trying to make a mark for his party based on aggression and negative campaigning. Much like Bal Thackeray, Raj has been spewing venom against laborers from UP and Bihar, often inciting his party cadres to take law into their hands. The new posters seem to be another attempt on part of Raj Thackeray aimed at further consolidating his aggressive image so that he could emerge as next Bal Thackeray of Maharashtra politics.