Uddhav and oratory.

It isn’t just that Uddhav isn’t much of an orator, but that Shiv Sena is learning that it is difficult to make rousing speeches when you wish to speak of nuance, of the middle path, of centrist policies, of sanity, and of democracy. Given a choice between speakers of equal calibre, an extremist speech with clear agendas, well-identified enemies, and black & white scenarios is always better delivered. And, unfortunately, better received. It is easier, for example, to blame a community or perceived historical wrong for the state of affairs and wash one’s hands off than to explain the said state of affairs reasonably and logically, take responsibility, and offer solutions.

That said, I am quite surprised that he did not prepare and practice his speech, the subjects he is going to touch on, their chronological order, or the apt delivery that people expect from the Shiv Sena Pramukh.

Unfortunately, he will be compared to his father, which is bad enough, but he will be compared to his cousin, which will hurt. In politics, a good speech is a tenth of the battle, perhaps even a fourth in today’s India. And while Uddhav has good intentions, good politics, and good governance (all things considered so far) on his side, a fiery and clear response to his critics would have helped at this point.

All I can wish for is that the people of Maharashtra and of Mumbai can see him for the positive change he heralds in his party, and the state’s polity, rather than the less than satisfactory speaker he has always been and proven to be time and again.

Of course, time will, as usual, tell.