When countrywide protests over CAA reached Maharashtra and warranted intervention from the government, Thackeray reiterated his stand that didn't vary much from the BJP's. He said that some people had misunderstood the CAA provisions and inferred that they would be driven out from their homes and the country. He assured safety and government's support to the people who harbour the fear of getting disowned. Soothing words, and yet Thackeray hasn't given BJP any more ammunition to bombard him over CAA. He hasn't yet bowed down to the Congress that wants him to officially declare that Maharashtra would discard the new legislation. Thackeray has simply shifted the state's focus to the courts that would decide CAA's constitutional sanctity. This should disappoint the Congress.

Thackeray said the CAA was misunderstood after he had drawn a parallel between the police action against Jamia students and the Jallianwala Baug massacre. His strong statement had prompted NCP boss Sharad Pawar to say happily that the words of Thackeray should prove that the MVA was moving on the right track. What will Pawar say when Thackeray supplements BJP? What will the Congress do if Thackeray refuses to toe a liberal-secular line? Pull out or stay put?

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A popular sentiment across the parties in the winter session was that the MVA would not break up because of ideological differences, but go down to the internal clashes between the bigwigs and overpowering interference of a certain mega leader in matters of governance and policymaking. And, the fall should happen as and when Thackeray asserts himself and rubs self-proclaimed puppeteers the wrong way. Senior bureaucrats who have been working with Thackeray haven't formed a firm opinion of him yet but they find him a good learner who surprises very experienced ministers with sharp questions and value addition of inputs that the participants don't expect of him considering his Mumbaiyya grooming.

Nagpur has given Thackeray an encouraging start. He seemed to have learned that making mere speeches may win votes, but won't run a government. He would want to skipper the ship but compulsions of coalition wouldn't let him do it all the time, especially when non-playing captains would want it diverted their way. It's a voyage that has been diagnosed with a 'longevity syndrome' since the moment it took off.

Dharmendra Jore is political editor, mid-day. He tweets @dharmendrajore Send your feedback to mailbag@mid-day.com

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