Explainer: What is happening in Maharashtra—a state where political scenario has completely changed in past two years

Tribune Web Desk

Vibha Sharma

Chandigarh, February 8

What is happening in Maharashtra—the state that sends the second-largest number of MPs (48) to the Lok Sabha after Uttar Pradesh (80).   

Ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections and ensuing Lok Sabha polls, the situation seems to have completely turned around in the state. Eknath Shinde is the president of the Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar of the National Congress Party. The two are part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP. Not surprising, therefore, that all eyes are on the state which is expected to play a key decider for both the NDA and its rival INDIA coalition in the coming Lok Sabha elections.

Setback to Congress

After the Election Commission of India decision on the Ajit Pawar faction as the real NCP, former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique today resigned from Congress, causing a major setback for the Grand Old Party which was a part of the erstwhile Maha Vikas Aghadi government comprising the once-intact Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thaackeray and Sharad Pawar’s NCP.

Siddique, a prominent minority face of the Congress in Mumbai made the announcement saying “I joined the Indian National Congress party as a young teenager and it has been a significant journey lasting 48 years. Today I resign from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress Party with immediate effect.

“There’s a lot I would have liked to express but as they say some things are better left unsaid. I thank everyone who has been a part of this journey,” he wrote.

After Bihar, Maharashtra biggest challenge for BJP  

After Uttar Pradesh (80) and Bihar (40 seats), Maharashtra (48) is seen as the biggest challenge for the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. But after settling the matter with JD-U supremo Nitish Kumar in Bihar, the BJP appears to be coming on the track in Maharashtra—the state where it was perceived to be on a weak track till June 2022 before MVA fell apart.   

Since then the political landscape in the state has undergone a major transformation.

A lot has happened since Eknath Shinde opted for a life apart and walked away with the Sena name and symbol and Ajit Pawar doing pretty much the same to his uncle Sharad Pawar. On Tuesday, the EC declared the Ajit Pawar-led NCP the “real” NCP, giving it both the party name and symbol ‘clock’.

Ajit Pawar is the Deputy Chief Minister in Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government, while Sharad Pawar—the key architect of the MVA alliance that stumped BJP after Uddhav Thackeray cut ties with it and formed the coalition government along with NCP and Congress—is out in the cold.  

What next for Sharad Pawar  

Sharad Pawar is the founder of the NCP which now his nephew controls. His supporters believe the ECI action will generate sympathy for the Maratha strongman just like his rain-soaked image at a rally in Satara in October 2019. The image of a drenched Pawar making a speech had led to the defeat of the BJP candidate, many believe.

This apart, the fact is the 83-year-old is currently facing the biggest challenge in his six-decade political career and whether he will be able to rebuild a party on the sympathy factor alone remains to be seen. 

The EC has allotted him a new name “Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar” but whether his supporters will be able to identify with it is another question.

“The EC order divesting Sharad Pawar of title and symbol may generate sympathy but the question is, will he be able to reap the benefit by reconstituting a brand new party at this stage. The Lok Sabha polls are round the corner and the time is running out. Besides, if Sharad Pawar challenges the EC decision in the Supreme Court, he may not be able to register the party name, symbol, etc.,” observers say.    

BJP filling gaps

Maharashtra will also vote for its 288-member Assembly this year and the BJP is busy filling in the gaps with new additions.

According to reports, leaders from Raj Thackeray’s MNS have held talks with Maharashtra BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and an alliance is on the cards for the General Election and Assembly polls later this year. 

The MNS is also expected to enhance saffron prospects in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections which are also due later this year.

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