After completing successful five years from 2014 to 2019 by the NDA government in Maharashtra led by the then CM Mr. Devendra Fadnavis, the state went into the Legislative assembly polls. BJP- Shiv Sena alliance again won the majority, required as per the State Legislative Assembly’s hundred and forty-four seats’ criteria. The results underlined the success of NDA, with the share of both the “Hindutva” parties: the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena (SS) with 105 and 56 seats respectively accompanied by its other alliances as well as the independent elected MLA supporting the two parties. However, the political upheaval that took place is the subject of discussion wherein the reasons that can be highlighted are: one the number game as in politics it is the “Power-Broker” that can make up or call it a quit for the parties to collate and come into Power and two, the ideology factor- citing which the Shinde faction allied with BJP again.
The ideological bonding between the two BJP and Shiv Sena was the adhesive rather is one, that made the two parties carry on their friendship and their coalition for more than 20 years. However, on 21st October 2019, the election results were out that clearly mentioned the mandate was in favor of the BJP-SS alliance. But, the demand and assertiveness of Shiv Sena for a share of power rather “CM’s Chair” became the bitter bone of contention for Shiv Sena to part ways with the BJP and thus the MahaVikas Aghadi (MVA) came into being.
However, this 2.5 year of the alliance was put into history officially-unofficially with a big uproar of not just 1 or 2 or 3 MLAs but 40 MLAs of Shiv Sena and plus 10 independent MLAs who fanned out themselves from being into the government. Again, this event stands up to the number game that proved it to be the “Political Broker”, and brought into the BIG- political crisis in the history of Maharashtrian politics that was ever seen. Hence, the political system though is said to be on the foundation of the “Aam-Publics vote” depends on the “Netas” on how to form the government that totally depends on the results of the election i.e., the number of seats a party has won and the vested interests of Power, Politics as well as the “Paisa” factor. Thus, the one identified factor in this political crisis is the Number-Game, which I will define as a Political-Broker. As it was proved in the case of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and BJP alliance.
The second factor that can be enlisted as a reason for the political crisis is ideological similarity and dissimilarity. Shiv Sena and BJP adhere to a strong “Hindutva ideology”, as well as inclusive development of India. But, Shiv Sena’s decision to part ways with the BJP at the time of forming the government with BJP, irked every BJP worker, the party high command, and of course the elected MLAs of the BJP. It is when the BJP strategized its way of opposition especially on Shiv Sena on the grounds of ideology, as ShivSena shared the tables with its long-time opponents- INC and NCP.
BJP’s “Hindutva” ideological attacks on Shiv Sena happened to be a supportive factor that changed the minds of MLAs and made them uproar against the MVA alliance which was also termed as an ‘inanimate’ alliance, that was formed only for Political gains. However, Shiv Sena MLAs did go induced by BJP’s ideological attacks, as the Hindutva ideology factor helped them to win the elections in their constituency through the votes of the people. Hence, the ideological factor play’s an important role in forming a party, and also creating an impact on society, and lifting the party into power. NCP-INC though identifying themselves as a secular party, the work, and the political stands are termed as doubtful and biased towards one particular sector of India, as well as the corruptive tenure the two-party, was accused of, links of the ministers with the terrorists, etc. all reasons also made their corner in the list of reasons for the Shiv Sena MLAs to move out of the MVA alliance which happened to be the catalyst for political crisis.
The two factors mentioned were enough to act as a catalyst for the political crisis in Maharashtra, but the topic under consideration should be the legitimacy of the vote that people have cast for the party, alliance, and the candidate up for the election. The entire ten-day stagecraft of the politics brings in how important it is to increase the turn-out for voting which will thereby increase the voting percentage. Second, once the voting percentage increases, it will result in giving a clear mandate to the party rather, at least will make it clear for the stakeholders of the political theatre to decide on the formation of the government. Because failing to do so will not only attract a political crisis but will also, bring in problems for the people, farmers, and business activities. For instance, when the MVA government was to collapse and there were uncertainties, it was the same time that was the peak time for farmers to start with their agricultural activities, needs support from the government on financial support, agricultural apparatus, etc. and during this crucial period if there are political crisis, it makes the situation more uncertain for the farmers, and many such problems will bring in uncertainties for the “Aam Janta”.
The message that should be heard by the people after watching all the political drama is that a clear mandate stating the majority for a political party to get into power is very much important, and to achieve this, the percentage of the voting should be increased. The two factors stated above are an integral part of the entire political system, and therefore the leaders getting their votes to be a part of the democratic system, have to keep in mind that if they compromise on the mandate which people have given to them for their own political gains of Power, Paisa, and Politics, will affect their next journey that is about to come in/after five years. Therefore, to avoid political turmoil, and a mess of the democratic process, it is important for the people and other stakeholders of the democratic system to act in pursuit of fostering the political system and upholding the democratic practices. Because, this political upheaval clearly highlights the importance of choosing a party with the majority to form the government, and will restrain the questions such as: the legitimacy of the democratic process, building confusion among the voters to whom they have cast their votes, and will also help for the parties to concretize their actions and practices based on their ideology and the issues that they have affirmed to resolve.
All Comments () +