By Rahul Dixit
The political events unfolding in Maharashtra in the last few days after the split in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have sent multiple signals to the grassroots workers of every political outfit in the State. Confusion prevails in the workers at all levels over the political equation cobbled by the top brass of their parties and insecurity has gripped the elected representatives over their future in the government. Already rattled by rebellions of various sizes, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and NCP (Sharad Pawar group) are struggling to keep their flock together even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has kept doors open for workable coalitions. Anxiety is palpable even in the Shiv Sena (Shinde group) which is a ruling partner in the government. The scenario presents an equal challenge for both the BJP and Chief Minister Mr. Eknath Shinde to cool down the frayed nerves in their own flocks.
Political community in the country would be keeping a keen watch on the developments in Maharashtra till the dust raised by newly-appointed Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Ajit Pawar settles down and Chief Minister Mr. Shinde controls the anxiety within his own splinter group. The former has a penchant to go for the unthinkable which still puts the current rebellion against the NCP patriarch Mr. Sharad Pawar on a tenuous ground. The latter, despite being the head of the Maharashtra Government, is still on a sticky wicket till clearing the legal test of the validity of his own rebellion against Mr. Uddhav Thackeray. Both the leaders now face the tricky job of convincing their cadre about the need of joining hands with the BJP and accommodating another partner in the government.
Mr Ajit Pawar’s address to his loyalists hints that this time the split in NCP is for real and he would not backtrack like he did four years ago after taking oath as Deputy Chief Minister in the BJP government. By openly training guns on uncle Mr. Sharad Pawar and by approaching the Election Commission with claims on the party name and symbol, the nephew has lent out a war cry. The test he faces now is of ensuring unflinching loyalty of the members who walked out with him. For, the influence Mr. Sharad Pawar enjoys on the NCP cadre can still work wonders and lure many rebels back into his fold. Mr. Ajit Pawar has the dual task to complete, of keeping cohesiveness in his cadre and at the same time negotiating his political future in the government and beyond with the BJP top brass.
In the camp of the other ruling partner, Mr. Shinde is seeking calm from his legislators who have apparently raised concerns after Mr. Ajit Pawar’s swearing-in. The anxiety in the Shinde camp centres around Mr. Ajit Pawar’s statement during the key meeting with his loyalists. By proclaiming his wish to become the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Pawar Jr has already rattled the BJP as well as the Shinde camp. With the ruling on their disqualification still pending, the Shinde camp MLAs are palpably nervous about their future.
While the BJP was prompt to allay all the fears while asserting that Mr. Eknath Shinde would continue as the State Chief Minister for his full term till 2024, the onus is now on Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Devendra Fadnavis to instill a sense of confidence in the Shinde camp. And at the same time, Mr. Fadnavis has a duty of resolving concerns of his own partymen whose anxiety is understandable. Another partner in the government has raised fears among the BJP leaders of compromising with their political fortunes to honour the party’s long-term strategy.
This nervousness prevailing in different camps of all the parties in Maharashtra yet again proves that like cricket, politics, too, is a game of glorious uncertainties!
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