Volatile politicking in Maharashtra leaves State stranded

By Abhijit Roy

The vehicle of opposition solidarity against the NDA had just arrived on the platform ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. A decision was also made for the second meeting. Before that NDA made inroads into Sharad Pawar’s party. This schism is a major setback for the opposition’s cohesiveness. The rift in the NCP in Maharashtra and the extension of the NDA clan by rebels joining the government show political insecurity as well as the leaders’ power-hungry temperament. The sudden departure of MLAs to join other governments demonstrates that family and party have no relevance in power. But one thing is certain: the anti-defection statute has failed to rein in Aaya Ram-Gaya Ram’s politics.

In the last few years, along with political cynicism in Maharashtra, there have been many controversies regarding the role of the governor. Even the Supreme Court had to make a strong comment. But one thing is certain that the violation of democratic purity is going on at every step. However, the face of political ugliness has been exposed in front of everyone for the sake of power.

Politicians seeking power have discovered fresh loopholes in the law’s provisions. Rather, the scope of defection has grown. This shift also indicates that the dominant party at the centre is capable of destroying any party through power and other means. To create the government in the state, the BJP and Shiv Sena jointly contest elections; after the elections, Shiv Sena breaks ties with the BJP and forms a government with the Congress, NCP, and others; and finally, Shiv Sena rebels and rebel Shiv Sainiks join the government alongside the BJP. It is how politicians solicit public votes against a specific political party, and then, for the sake of power, they become sidekicks of the same opposing political party. Without a doubt, this is a sham election.

On the other hand, the fate of family-based politics has also come to the fore somewhere in the split in the NCP arising out of the ambitions of an uncle-nephew. This is the culmination of the ugly face of dynastic politics that has come to the fore in the country for the past few decades. Though Ajit Pawar has tried to run a government in alliance with the BJP in the past, the recent crisis arose when Sharad Pawar handed over his political legacy to his daughter, Supriya Sule. This daughter’s fascination overpowered Sharad Pawar. Undoubtedly, the political parties that nurture the politics of familyism must also bear the brunt of the disintegration of the family over time.

On the other hand, the fate of family-based politics has come to the fore somewhere in the NCP rift caused by an uncle-nephew’s desires. This is the culmination of the country’s ugly face of dynasty politics over the last few decades. Though Ajit Pawar had previously attempted to form a coalition government with the BJP, the most current conflict emerged when Sharad Pawar passed on his political legacy to his daughter, Supriya Sule. Sharad Pawar was overwhelmed by his daughter’s fascination. Undoubtedly, the political parties that foster familyism must face the price of the family’s collapse over time.

This development, however, is a major setback not only for the Nationalist Congress Party, but also for the Mahavikas Aghadi. On the other side, the recent efforts for opposition unity have been harmed by this trend. The general elections scheduled for next year appear to be the focus of this sabotage plan. Maharashtra is well-known for having the second-highest number of Lok Sabha seats after Uttar Pradesh. The parties in charge of the state government, on the other hand, benefit from an advantage in the general elections as a result of the convenient method. The hurried swearing-in ceremony in the state also suggested that Ajit Pawar, who had previously revolted against his uncle, might not return to the NCP camp like before.

Apparently, the debate in the following days will also be about who will be the true party chief. Who holds the true NCP? Sharad Pawar, the Master of Politics, will endeavour to leave a political legacy in the coming days by knocking on the doors of the court and the Election Commission. On the other side, some modifications will be observed in the state’s power equations.

(Author is a Jamshedpur-based columnist. The views expressed are personal. He can be reached at abhijitroytatanagar@gmail.com)