ISSN (Online) - 2349-8846
A Shift in the Politics of Maharashtra
The homogenising projects of the Bharatiya Janata Party have necessitated diverse political experiments.
After more than a month since the declaration of assembly election results, a new government has been formed in Maharashtra. The tripartite alliance government consisting of Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and the Indian National Congress is definitely a unique experiment necessitated by prevailing political circumstances. Technically speaking, the pre-poll alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena had secured a majority and could have formed the government. However, for reasons best known to either party, the pre-poll alliance could not lead these parties to finally form the government. The tripartite alliance is unprecedented because it has been formed among the political forces that have thus far been staunch political opponents, and it is a response to the homogenising tendencies that have been quite dominant in the party that is ruling at the centre. Taking a cynical view of this development as mere opportunism or taking a holier-than-thou approach of deriding it as an ideological surrender would overlook this political context. While admitting that a section among those who have taken the latter view has certain valid concerns and apprehensions, one must note that active politics demands actionable alternatives, for there is never a vacuum. If such an actionable alternative is not worked out, other forces would occupy that space, which in this case would have meant the BJP having access to power in the state. The political and social undesirability of such an outcome—not only for the three parties concerned, but also for large sections of distressed masses—provides adequate justification for the tactical alliance.
Anchored by the NCP President Sharad Pawar, the alliance partners have chosen the path of intervention in the unfolding situation after election results, rather than the path of abstaining. Considering the capacity of the ruling party to manoeuvre the political narrative, only such proactive intervention can produce crises before them. So far, the Congress party’s approach as an opposition party has been marked by a sense of passivity and rigidity. Therefore, it has not been able to set the political agenda or terms of debate and ceded that space to the ruling party. Probably under Pawar’s advice, it seems to have changed the tack on this occasion and accepted the junior partner role in order to realise the larger political goal. If this tactical flexibility is persisted with—particularly in the context of increasing rigidity in the BJP’s approach that is consistent with its unitary, homogenising tendencies—the Congress can assume a prominent and active role in facilitating coalition(s) against the ruling party’s dominance. ISSN (Online) - 2349-8846
Dear reader,
To continue reading, become a subscriber.
Explore our attractive subscription offers.
CLICK HERE
Read more about A Shift in the Politics of Maharashtra ಕನ್ನಡ தமிழ் తెలుగు ગુજરાતી हिन्दी