- One of the most keenly watched electoral contests in recent times was the state assembly polls in Maharashtra. The Indian citizens are aware of the importance of the state and in particular Mumbai, the financial capital of India. Almost 40% of the revenue generated by the state to the GDP is not lost on anybody, least of all the economic and financial experts. Of course, not to be left behind, the political parties and their leaders were all geared up for the mouth-watering polls. Yes, the country is aware of how the political churning shook the existential foundation of the main parties in the state. The two main regional parties in the form of Shiv Sena and NCP had to endure splits and let the breakaway faction run away with the original name and symbols.
PC: FreePik
- In all this, the BJP was quite content in letting the two parties hog the limelight. So much so that the BJP allowed the Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena to be in the driver’s seat by offering Chief Ministership. The previous full-term CM Devendra Fadnavis gracefully accepted the Dy CMship dutifully honoring the party’s diktat. Thus, all eyes were on the outcome of the assembly polls where the electioneering was not only aggressive, vicious, polarized, and full of incentives, doll outs, inducements, and promises usually associated with the high-octane campaigning. There was belief all around that the electorate would be confused with two sets of regional parties followed by two national parties in the fray. In the end, all those turned out to be mere conjectures.
- However, the electorate has again proved that they cannot be taken for granted by choosing to bless the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance with an absolute majority. The decisive mandate in favour of the Mahayuti also means the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance of the opposition is routed out comprehensively. The BJP alone is just 13 seats short of the majority showcasing how the voters chose the saffron-led brigade to govern them for five years. What this mandate also means is that there are no pulls and pressures vis-à-vis guarding the elected representatives who might fancy their chances of shifting allegiance in the near future. The BJP’s top leadership must be heaving a huge sigh of relief with the eventual outcome after the drubbing of the Parliamentary poll.
PC: FreePik
- Of course, one of the most worrying signs visible across the political firmament is the freebie culture steadily gaining ground even from the stable of the BJP who were opposed to the same not too long back. The guarantee schemes are raining everywhere, and the Maharashtra election outcome definitely indicates it is working in luring the voters, especially women. Going by the look of things, it also means the end of the road for the old political war horse Sharad Pawar and his legendary ability to stay in the limelight. It also holds true for Uddhav Thackeray whose father’s legacy and aura could not help save him despite putting up a spirited fight. Who will be the CM? No guesses here. It should be Devendra Fadnavis.
