Maharashtra 'coup' reiterates political acumen of Modi, Shah

In a stunning turn of events, people woke up to newspaper headlines that Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray would be the new chief minister of Maharashtra only to find that Devendra Fadnavis has taken oath again as the chief minister along with NCP's Ajit Pawar.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar, who on Friday evening suggested Thackeray's name for the post of chief minister, realized the next day morning that his nephew, who was part of deliberations between the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress to form the government, has switched sides. Prime Narendra Modi invoked the Rule 12 of the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961, to give approval for revocation of President's Rule. This allows him to take decision without seeking approval of the cabinet in emergency situations, which can then be got ex post facto.

The political coup once again brought the spotlight on the ability of PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to turn any adverse situations to their advantage, be it Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and now Maharahstra.

The political situation in the western state is still fluid till Fadnavis proves his majority on the floor of Vidhan Sabha.

The BJP, for the first time, brought in another twist in the tale. The ruling party questioned Shiv Sena's u-turn in honouring alliance. “On whose behest did Shiv Sena react in such a manner. The NCP and Congress said they got mandate for sitting in opposition. But it then became a fixed match to form a government. It was a conspiracy to control the financial capital of India through back door,” Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

When asked if Prasad meant there was involvement of some corporate houses or even some external influence, the minister said he has already said what he wanted to. On being further pressed if the government would hold a probe, Prasad pointed to suspicious circumstances surrounding Shiv Sena's conduct after the election results. He refused to elaborate further.

These allegations have made the Maharashtra battle even more curious.

The BJP's central argument for forming the government with Ajit Pawar's help is that the mandate was for the BJP and Shiv Sena to form government, and Fadnavis to become the chief minister.

“The mandate was for the BJP and Shiv Sena. The BJP was the largest party and Devendra Fadnavis got the mandate as CM. He ran a clean government. In 2014, the BJP contested 260 seats out of which it won 47 per cent and got 28 per cent votes. In 2019, BJP contested 150 seats and got 70 per cent success rate and garnered 26 per cent votes.

Fadnavis was the CM face and even in the success of Shiv Sena candidates, it was the support base of BJP which played a key role. It was moral and arithmetic victory of Fadnavis,” Prasad said.

The BJP has decided to attack the NCP-Shiv Sena for the criticism hurled its way. “How this is not death of democracy when they sit together, than when we present a stable government,” Prasad said.

He again pointed towards alliance between the three parties when questioned how the BJP has decided to align with Ajit Pawar whom they had accused many times of fraud in the past.

The BJP also took off it gloves when it came to Shiv Sena. After refusing to attack its oldest ally, BJP questioned the current leadership of Shiv Sena over their alliance with Congress. “They attacked our PM and home minister (through their mouthpiece Saamana). It caused us pain and agony. Now for for first time we are sharing it,” the BJP minister said.

The battle for Maharahstra is far from over. A lot will depend on how Ajit Pawar- led NCP helps the BJP. But questions are being raised over Sharad Pawar's conduct in the past a few days. Modi's praise for NCP in Parliament, which was followed by Pawar calling on Modi had raised many eyebrows.