The riveting turn of events in Maharashtra politics since the Assembly poll results has been a study in possibility of political realignments. The fast- paced developments have validated the proposition that ‘politics is the art of the possible’. The ‘divorce’ between Shiv Sena and BJP after ‘cohabiting’ as ideological peers for more than a quarter century following their inability to hammer out a mutually acceptable power sharing formula has given the NCP and the Congress to try and form a three-party coalition government.
The imposition of President Rule has attracted the criticism that it presaged “Operation Kamala” by BJP to outwit its opponents and “manufacture a majority” for itself. BJP cannot claim itself to be ‘a party with a difference’ since it is not against horse-trading if it helps in seizing power. By the way, turncoats betray a staggering contempt for decency in public life. The Assembly is now kept ‘in suspended animation’; it means the doors for revocation of Central rule and the formation of a new State government are wide open. There is now ample time for political parties to try all sorts of manoeuvres in the game of politics.
Talks are now said to be under way among Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress on the contours of the government, terms of power sharing and a common minimum programme. Interestingly, the NCP is now said to ask for ‘rotational chief ministership’, something that caused the severance of Shiv sena-BJP ties. It is evident from the non-committal positions of NCP and Congress over joining hands with Shiv Sena and the speculation over the remote possibility of reconciliation between the erstwhile saffron allies that the current political scenario in Maharashtra is in a state of flux.
We will watch with keen interest how things shape up in Maharashtra. There is never a dull moment when news breaks a split second by split second. However, how long it will take for the denouement of the political thriller in the ‘great state’ is hard to tell now.
G. David Milton,
Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu
