- The last ten days in Maharashtra’s political landscape have been nothing short of thrill-a-minute manifestations that would have shamed Bollywood’s renowned writers known for edge-of-the-seat thrillers. The unfolding dramatics had all the ingredients to keep the audience spellbound through sheer unpredictability and unprecedented happenstances perpetrated by the rebel MLAs belonging to the Shiv Sena. Of course, the media were on the button whilst broadcasting minute-to-minute unraveling of the political drama which started from Mumbai, shifted to Surat, further moved to Guwahati, then to Goa, and finally back to Mumbai where it all began. As in any thriller, the climax holds the key backed by a killer punch at the end.
PC: Shreya Sinha
- Mumbai thrilled had that too. The keen followers were left stumped by what transpired on an eventful day in Maharashtra politics. By opting to make rebel Eknath Shinde Maharashtra CM, the BJP has amply demonstrated its tactical nous. In doing so, it also corrected the 2019 tactical error when BJP lost Shiv Sena as a partner by playing the role of a big brother too hard. Interestingly, the erstwhile CM Devendra Fadnavis playing deputy to Shinde, a Maratha hailing from the politically crucial Satara region and with the base in Thane, means Sena’s bigger faction re-enters NDA with respectful accommodation. This optics also provides for Sena rank and file with a Maratha Sainik as CM losing some sting over the charge of betrayal made by Thackeray’s against the BJP.
- More astutely, CM Shinde stands a better chance to woo Uddhav camp followers than deputy CM Shinde. Looking from any angle, this move by the BJP is a smart one with an eye on future churnings. Mind you, unlike Uddhav who never forgave BJP for reducing Sena to its junior partner, Shinde may be more amenable to BJP to work with. Of course, even though Shinde is the CM, the BJP will likely keep many key portfolios for sure. Further, Shinde also helps BJP’s 2024 general election cause what with 48 Lok Sabha seats Maharashtra possesses is second only to UP in importance. Interestingly, Uddhav had thanked Sharad Pawar and Sonia Gandhi suggesting he was more comfortable in MVA rather than with the BJP.
PC: Scroll Staff
- Remember, if Uddhav Sena, NCP, and Congress fight the 2024 election together, it makes imminent sense for BJP to have a dominant and happy Sena faction as its ally. Where does that leave the Thackeray clan then? It depends on winning the cadre as Sena are unique in that they wield much more influence than foot soldiers of other parties. Important to note that Shinde’s MLAs come from geographically more diverse areas, while Uddhav has largely retained Mumbai legislators. By all indications, Shinde is going for the jugular. A race to corner the Sena party name, symbol, offices, elected representatives, and workers have started. Interesting to see what the eventual outcome will be. The BJP should be pleased with its win-win masterstroke move though.
