The Emerging Configurations in Maharashtra

From all the action we’ve seen, pre-polls, during the polls and now after the polls, one can safely conclude that Maharashtra politics is never short of drama. Yes, the Congress-NCP might have done well to secure a third consecutive term by default, but even less than a week after the results were announced, there are interesting configurations emerging within all major stakeholders in the election – be it the opposition – Shiv Sena-BJP, or even the ruling alliance.

Firstly, Uddhav Thackerey broke his silence yesterday in a press conference at the Sena Bhavan, and brazenly refused to concede defeat, claiming that his party and the BJP raised the people’s issues. Wrong. He musn’t forget that he used most of his own rallies to trade pot-shots at Raj Thackerey, who only stood to gain from them. If anything, they failed miserably to do remind the DF (Cong-NCP) Government of it’s continued failures and non-performance over the past five years. Now, on a rather bizarre note, Uddhav has come up with reconciliatory messages towards his cousin, which I am sure would not move any further than press rhetoric. In this report, he’s openly advocated a *possible* coming together of sorts with the MNS and urging all stakeholders in the Marathi Manoos’ cause to come and fight together. He said, “Marathi sathi sagle ekatra aale tar toh suvarna din asel.”  (It will be a golden day if everybody comes together on the issue of Marathi manoos). Long shot with odds heavily stacked against it, I’d say. But, not within the realms of impossibility, given Raj Thackerey’s only aversion or problem being Uddhav’s leadership of the Sena (or in this case) – the lack of it.