Maha polls: Why 'cool-headed' Uddhav suddenly donned angry youngman avatar?

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has surely raised eye-brows over his tough stand in the on-going seat sharing battle between the Saffron allies in Maharashtra, but sudden change in behaviour of Uddhav has different story to tell. Over the past few days, there has been a drastic change in Uddhav, often known as a ‘cool-headed' politician and a strategist to boot by his opponents. In the run up to State Assembly poll, Uddhav is now building his image as an aggressive politician who could lead the State in better way than others.

Uddhav's tough stand will help him to prove his leadership skills

Due to aggressive posture of Shiv Sena chief, the 25-year-old alliance between the BJP and Shiv Sena is on the verge of collapse.
Uddhav is in no mood to back step and is adamant over the seat-sharing formula proposed by the party. By making such stance, the usually soft-spoken Uddhav wants to go for a image makeover.
Sena chief has sent a loud and clear message to the BJP that Shiv Sena is a giver and not a taker. He has even threatened to break the alliance if the BJP remains adamant.
Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said, "We can give BJP 119 seats to the BJP and 18 to other smaller parties. We are making a last attempt to save the alliance."

Tough fight with Raj over Bal Thackeray's legacy

This is a do-or-die battle for Uddhav to take forward Bal Thackeray's legacy. Uddhav knows it well that if being a regional player, Sena does not get more seats than the BJP, it would give a chance to emerge as a senior player in the State. If the Sena is whittled down, the field will be clear for Raj Thackeray to claim the Thackeray's legacy.
Raj, Uddhav are the two inheritors of Thackeray mantle. Unlike Uddhav, Raj is a good orator, has strong leadership qualities and connect with youths in better ways. He has prepared a ground for himself. The party's performance in the 2009 Assembly polls showed the arrival of Raj Thackeray on the political arena of the State. By portraying him strong and aggressive, Uddhav to connect with marathi manoos in better way than his cousin.

Behind Uddhav's hard bargain is son's 'Mission 150'

Another reason for Uddhav's refusal to settle for anything below 151 seats is his son Aditya Thackeray's ‘Mission 150' which he announced a couple of months ago.
Aditya had declared Sena's ‘Mission 150' for the Assembly elections even before the Lok Sabha elections. As per the Mission, his son had recognised 150 constituencies and started doing groundwork in these earmarked constituencies. Giving away a few these seats to BJP will dishearten not only his son but also the grassroot workers who have been working hard in these constituencies.

Uddhav wants to pose himself as strong CM candidate

Uddhav Thackeray has already made it clear that he will not shy away from taking any responsibility including the CM post.
Giving more seats to BJP would definitely increase the chance of the alliance in the elections. But for Uddhav, denial of more seats to BJP is a form of assurance that the BJP won't emerge as the bigger partner in the upcoming elections and thus, minimising his chances of being the next CM. He would rather prefer to loose the seats than allow the BJP to make gains from them.

Uddhav wants to send strong signal to BJP

Uddhav wants to make sure that his party should not be taken for ride by its old ally. The Sena chief, seemingly, has not forgotten party's humiliation when his man, Anant Gite, was offered a low profile job in Central Government. Besides, Uddhav seems to have hurt after his party was sidelined on key State issues including appointment of new governors, removal of Maharashtra Governor etc by the BJP-led NDA Government. By making such a tough stand, Uddhav wants to indicate that Shiv Sena's tiger is back to roar.