Politics in India is full of surprises and never short of unprecedented developments. This truism has got manifested several times and the post-election episode now being enacted in Maharashtra is the latest one. Before assembly election in that state, there was hardly any above-average interest in national media as it was sure that BJP-Shiv Sena alliance will return to power. That had actually happened too with the state’s electorate bestowing responsibilities to be shared collectively by both these parties. But, to the utter dismay of Maharashtra people, these ‘time-tested’ allies engaged themselves in a tussle over sharing of the coveted chair of Chief Ministership. Just as the issue of seat sharing and associated bargaining processes are quite natural in the electoral canvas of the country, be it general or any assembly election, it is expected that there will be parleys among stakeholders over capturing ‘plump’ ministerial berths. Things get sorted out after a certain point of time and a new government commences journey- that’s the picture usually seen. Maharashtra is perhaps an extraordinary case and rare indeed where ‘hunger for power’ has reached its zenith that has resulted in a queer situation and there are still no solid signs of a government formation. Even if the Indian democratic system has many virtues that made it great, it’s not without fault lines, as Maharashtra has shown. Will go to any extent and keep the baton of power at any cost- is the invisible yet zealously pursued agenda of many political parties and doesn’t matter if it means disrespecting the electorate. It’s a distressing phenomenon which the world’s largest democracy is sadly afflicted with.

It will be hard to come to terms with the current impasse since both BJP and Shiv Sena have good amounts of ideological similarities and it’s based upon which they had been ‘friends’ nearly for last three decades. With this firm-rooted belief that the duo will stay together and deliver poll promises, Maharashtra voters gave them a further chance. But as of now, there are no signs yet of the end to this ‘Maha’ drama since Sena’s 50:50 proposition of power sharing including the post of CM is still indigestible for the big brother BJP. Meanwhile, there had also been various twists and turns with Sena MLAs kept under ‘protection’ to evade any sort of poaching, another reminder of the unstoppable existence of money power in politics, a vice which is still without an antidote.

If nothing happens, President’s rule will be the last option. But it is a great pain to see how, over the years, the element of ethics has gradually evaporated from the country’s political theatre. That class of political people practising ‘people’s first’ principle is dwindling rapidly. It’s sad but true.

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List