Nobody saw this coming, well perhaps a few did the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Sharad Pawar has firmly in his seasoned hands the reins to the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government’s stability that will see Uddhav Thackeray taking oath as Maharashtra CM.
Bringing together the Congress, the NCP and the Sena was a task it seems that would be way out of the ken of most stalwarts, unless they are Mr. Pawar of course. The NCP should expect to hold key portfolios in the MVA government, given its kingmaker status.
The NCP has also renewed with new vigor its standing as a Maratha party in the state with this alliance. Several defectors may be back in the fold with these developments, ans the party may see a resurgence in the state.
The Congress really had the toughest decision to make. An alliance with its adversary, or making inroads into power for one of the most important states again. They are sure to adopt a wait and watch attitude for the coming months.
The Sena was probably the most straightforward in its intentions to have a CM from the party. While initially seen as bargaining chip in its tenuous alliance with the ruling BJP, it now stands to write a new chapter in its own political history.
Depending on how long the alliance persists, the BJP is sure to keep the alliance in check in the Opposition. While Mr. Fadnavis’ alliance with Mr. Ajit Pawar may not have cast him in the best light, due to his perceived hubris and opportunism, it may not be enough to completely disenchant staunch supporters.
If the MVA takes, then the BJP will need a strategy to make a comeback, which would lead to reneging on its stand on caste equations as well as more representation from the Marathwada region and the western part of the state. Most importantly, the BJP will now have to redefine what its core agenda of Hindutva means, as losing the second largest state would likely render it in stock-taking mode.
As the Indian economy reels from a slowdown, the common voters are least concerned with the musical chairs of career politicians. The want a stable government, stable governance and steady jobs along with reasonable food prices.. It would be interesting to see how the larger ongoing infrastructure projects in the state and the financial capital of the country, Mumbai, are affected by these developments.