Video Editor: Abhishek Sharma
Video Producer: Anubhav Mishra
“Falling between two stools” aptly captures the situation in which Shiv Sena finds itself. BJP has played its trump card in Maharashtra and after Governor Koshyari’s recommendation and Cabinet approval, President Kovind has assented to imposition of President’s Rule in the state.
However, a few questions persist.
If NCP had been given time until 8:30 pm, Tuesday, by the Governor, why did he recommend President’s Rule in the afternoon? Who disturbed the nearly set balance of Shiv Sena-Congress-NCP? Who is the biggest winner and who the biggest loser in the power tussle in Maharashtra?
Maharashtra’s Mid-Day Political Crisis
Let’s try to understand how the crisis came about. In a press conference in the afternoon, NCP’s Nawab Malik said the party had authorised Sharad Pawar to coordinate talks with Congress and Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde added that talks with NCP over coalition were on.
But, as the two parties were in talks, BJP made its move. Officially, the Governor said that since no party is capable of forming the government, President’s Rule will be imposed in the state and it will thus be controlled by the Centre – and we mustn’t forget the party in power at the Centre is BJP.
The Biggest Loser
Without doubt, Shiv Sena has lost the most. The party, adamant on their demand for the CM office, has lost both the chance of being a part of the government and the cabinet berth it had at the Centre.
As events have played out in the previous days, Aaditya Thackeray’s political debut has been hit. Shiv Sena’s only hope is the Supreme Court ruling in its favour.
Congress’ Indecision Prevails
If Shiv Sena and NCP were unable to form the government, the one key reason for it has been Congress. Indecisive as ever, Congress couldn’t make its mind up over what course of action to take.
Now, the grand old party is complaining of the Governor having sided with BJP. In a tweet, Congress Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala questioned why BJP was given 48 hours as opposed to 24 hours to Shiv Sena and less than 24 hours to NCP to form the government.
But, we must ask Congress what went wrong with their timing?
What About ‘Pawar Power’?
NCP had got caught in ping-pong battle of sorts between Congress and Shiv Sena. The party demanded that Shiv Sena pull out of NDA and that’s exactly what Shiv Sena did. However, NCP failed to bring their pre-poll ally Congress on-board for the alliance. This doesn’t reflect very well on Sharad Pawar’s repute.
The question is: Why didn’t Pawar give the letter of support to Shiv Sena even after having met with Uddhav Thackeray?
Whom Will Re-Elections Benefit?
If Maharashtra witnesses a mid-term election then BJP has its game plan set. BJP was the single-largest party on its own and its pre-poll alliance with Shiv Sena got the mandate to govern the state.
The BJP will try to raise the issue that Shiv Sena tried to grab power even if it meant betrayal of their ideology. And who did they want to ally with? Their age old rival – NCP.
While BJP will attempt to advantage of this fact, neither Shiv Sena nor Congress-NCP combine seems to have any clear plan for what the plan forward is.
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