Maharashtra: Where Did Sharad Pawar & Uddhav Thackeray Go Wrong?

The ruckus created by this development in Maharashtra has led to many big questions:

(Image: Altered by The Quint)  

The recent events that unfolded in Maharashtra has left it to be a political potboiler. Just as Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray was gearing up to make his government in the state, early morning, on 23 November, the BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis and NCP’s Ajit Pawar stepped in to swear-in as the chief minister and the deputy chief minister.

The ruckus created by this development in Maharashtra has led to many big questions:

• What happened to the constitution?
• What happened to democracy?
• How will the majority be proved in the assembly?
• How was the anti-defection law misused in this?

After the results of the Maharashtra Assembly elections was released, the BJP, known to form the government at all costs, became quiet. Devendra Fadnavis resigned and President’s rule was imposed in Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar became active in the state. With Shiv Sena teaming up with the NCP and all the events that followed in the last one month, it was beginning to look like a new story was about to unfold in Maharashtra.

Where Was the Opposition’s Mistake?

The Opposition forgot the political ‘playbook’ of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. The biggest lesson of this incident is that the opposition should re-read the BJP’s ‘playbook’. This ‘playbook’ clearly shows that whatever the leaders of the party decides, it definitely happens.

BJP Took Advantage of Pawar's Weak Link

When the BJP felt that the Shiv Sena-NCP could form a government in Maharashtra, it went for Sharad Pawar's weakest link.

Ajit Pawar has had some problems with his family. Ajit Pawar was unhappy with his nephew Rohit Pawar contesting the Assembly elections from Karjat seat.

Perhaps there were some other issues in the family. The BJP took advantage of this weak link of Sharad Pawar, i.e. Ajit Pawar.

Should Pawar Form the Government or Save His Home?

Sharad Pawar is saying that he has the numbers and he will form the government, but the problem before him is the dilemma of choosing between forming the government and saving his family, for it’s no surprise that keeping the NCP together will be no feat for him.