Devendra Fadnavis's Master Move: MVA expected 'Googly' or 'Bouncer'! Got a Kabaddi game instead

While everyone was in a lousy mood, considering it to be a lazy monsoon Sunday, Maharashtra Politics was thundered with the masterstroke that Devendra Fadnavis played, shattering yet another political party into two divides. After Shiv Sena having divided into two groups of Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), it was apparently the turn of Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to divide in two groups.

 

 

 

 

At least, that is how the picture seems to us today and hence, Devendra Fadnavis deserves appreciation for the huge statement he has made today in his political career. According to reports, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)'s senior leader Ajit Pawar has today joined Eknath Shinde-led government in Maharashtra and took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of the state. In a dramatic turn of events, Pawar, along with nine MLAs, reached Raj Bhawan to meet Governor Ramesh Bais.

 

Let's have a quick look at how the events have taken place in Maharashtra's recent political past. Back in 2019, while all the political parties were campaigning for the Lok Sabha Elections, Devendra Fadnavis, the existing Chief Minister of Maharashtra had confidently promised the people that "He will be re-elected" ('मी पुन्हा येईन').

 

The 2019 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly election was held on Oct 21, 2019 to elect all 288 members of the state's Legislative Assembly. After a 61.4% turnout in the election, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena (SHS) won a majority. Following differences over the government formation, the alliance was dissolved, causing a political crisis. Devendra Fadnavis being the regional face of Bharatiya Janata Party, was trolled all over quoting his own words of 'मी पुन्हा येईन'.

 

 

 

 

 

Besides, as a council of ministers had not been formed after no party could manage to form the government, President's rule was imposed in the state. On Nov 23, 2019, Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Ajit Pawar was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister. However both of them resigned on Nov 26, 2019 before the floor test and on Nov 28, 2019, Shiv Sena, NCP & Congress formed the government under a new alliance Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), with Uddhav Thackeray as the Chief Minister.

 

Subsequently, Uddhav Thackeray had to resign on Jun 29, 2022, due to the Shiv Sena being split which was led by Eknath Shinde. This is roughly a year ago from today. Shiv Sena was the first strong regional party in the politics of Maharashtra that remained divided due to their differences. And, today, a year after Shiv Sena was divided, another party, NCP, is highly probable of being divided.

 

Although this is happening today, reports suggest that NCP was already on the verge of falling apart in 2019, when in November, Ajit Pawar sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, with Devendra Fadnavis as the Chief Minister. However, somehow, NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar managed to keep the party together. But with what has happened today, there are chances that NCP might be the second party in Maharashtra to be divided in two groups, merely to be in power.

 

The politics of Maharashtra has undergone immense drama over the last years, with the voters of Maharashtra feeling betrayed, as despite of being immensely voted to form government in the state of Maharashtra, BJP was unable to form government merely due to opposition politics. Today, however, BJP remains the only political party dominating the Maharashtra government.

 

Over the last years, BJP reaffirmed its right to form government. Today, Jul 2nd 2023, remains a day of flashback in Maharashtra politics. The leaders from NCP who are extending support to Ajit Pawar's decision, are increasing by the hour. Besides, these leaders are coming out as the same leaders who remain at the core thought of the party. This itself is a huge statement in Maharashtra's politics, considering the politcal reputation of Sharad Pawar, the NCP supremo, whose aura has been threatened due to the turn of events. And in such circumstances, if Devendra Fadnavis was being criticized earlier for BJP to be unable to form government in Maharashtra, then today he deserves the acknowledgement and appreciation for the skillful inter-party politics that he spearheaded in Maharashtra.

 

 

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