Sasi Nair
Top is always lonely, it has space to accommodate only one and whosoever occupies that spot, calls the shots. What is true in corporate world, is the same in politics. The fundamental difference that separates politics from the corporate world is that when the latter functions on their company’s vision, mission and business interests, the former is free for all. There is no predefined values, everything changes when the context changes with best of friends becoming foes and sworn enemies becoming friends overnight. As a result we see strange bedfellows with only power and perhaps money tying them together.
In politics this is a norm when no single party gains absolute majority in the elections. We saw this unfold earlier in Karnataka and this time around only the theatre changing to Maharashtra with the same set of lies, evasions, follies, hatred, paranoia, and schizophrenia. While D.K. Shivakumar, D Daramaiah, and B.S. Yediyurappa enacted a fabulous role in the Karnataka saga, the likes of Devendra Fadnavis, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, and others lived up to the expectations in the latest political drama which unfolded in Maharashtra.
The common man is after all but sidelined as soon as he casts his vote and becomes a mere spectator in the combinations being discussed and the governments being formed with no further role in either. Though deeply hurt, he doesn’t have a choice but to wait and watch.
Interestingly, the Shiv Sena, which is ideologically close to BJP with the extra Maharashtrian pride, which hitherto, since 1989, has fought every election as BJP ally, once again went into the elections on similar ties. The agreement to contest 124 seats with 150 for BJP had its own drawbacks. There was a tacit acceptance that the Sena was a junior partner to the big brother BJP with limited pockets of influence and had to contest what came its way. A full sweep was unlikely to happen and in the eventuality the junior partner would end up with lesser seats. The dominant party, also ruling at the centre, would have a better conversion rate. Last but not the least, fighting the elections individually will see both parties ceding ground to the opposition, primarily Congress and NCP.
Furthermore, there was the realization that even with BJP as its partner, Sena could in no way exercise sole control in India’s second largest and financially pivotal state, each party will more or less be dependent on the mercy of the other. Sena on its part kept its cards open to realize its ambitions. However, other player’s unstated ambitions and the dominant party’s cold shoulder towards it further aggravated the wounds. Will NCP support the Sena? Will Congress support NCP, after all it was carved out of its own party? All these have however been laid to rest for the time being with Ajit Pawar switching allegiances even though his party was working with Sena and Congress to forming a government and excluding BJP.
The overnight political strike has no doubt stunned both the Shiv Sena and the Congress. But with stability at stake this looks a better option than some unholy alliance which may crumble at the drop of a hat. Speaking to the media after shortly being sworn in, Chief Minister Fadnavis said, “I would like to express my gratitude to Ajit Pawar for taking this strong decision to provide a stable government to Maharashtra and join hands with BJP.”
Clarifying his decision Ajit Pawar, the nephew of Sharad Pawar, stated, “I took this decision as the discussions of the alliance of the three parties, Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena was heading nowhere. Maharashtra needed stable governance.” With speculations mounting that Ajit had done so with the blessings of his uncle, Sharad Pawar,
tweeted: “Ajit Pawar’s decision to support BJP to form the Maharashtra Government is his personal decision and not that of NCP. We place on record that we do not support or endorse this decision of his.”
President’s rule, imposed in the state, a fortnight ago, was revoked today morning at 5.47 a.m. and the BJP which earlier failed in its endeavour to form government with its former ally Shiv Sena has now gained control of the state once again with this dramatic twist. Devendra Fadnavis took oath as Chief Minister and Ajit Pawar sworn in as his deputy.
The BJP which emerged as the single largest party with 105 seats in the 288 member assembly will now work with Ajit Pawar’s breakaway faction. With the script already altered the onus is now on BJP to govern the state, perhaps on a common minimum programme, and once again assure the voters of acche din. Time alone will tell whether the combination will work or fail but for now Devendra Fadnavis and BJP are well placed in the driver’s seat once again.
