Maharashtra: Myth of the mighty stands shattered

Jagtar Singh

Maharashtra has redefined the terms of both the political discourse and political trade and at the heart of the change is the fall of the mighty. The myth of invincibility of the mighty stand shattered. Although the Assembly election results of Maharashtra and  Haryana had given the first indication of the changing political discourse, every effort was made to perpetuate the myth.

It is Sharad Pawar who has emerged as the proverbial phoenix, rising from the ashes.

He has positioned himself in the political matrix at a strategic point to challenge Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo in the coming period who had earned the distinction of being invincible with almost 80 per cent of the media turning what can be termed as loyalist media. Like the political class, the people in the media too seem to suffer from memory loss. History has lessons for everybody.

Maharashtra is a lesson for every leader and every political party that matters. The lesson si that nothing can be taken for granted for too long.

Ironically, fraud was committed on the constitution coinciding with its 70^th anniversary. Equally important is the spirit of the constitution along with the letters. It is the spirt of the constitution that was violated with impunity and this was not possible without the knowledge, if not involvement, of the people entrusted by “we the people of India” to protect it.

The Congress had been completely demoralised after the repeat humiliation in the Lok Sabha elections and the party just did not put its heart into the Haryana and Maharashtra elections. This disinterest was evident even when Sharad Pawar initiated the move to install non-BJP government in his home state. The task was gigantic and the Shiv Sena had been the oldest ally of the BJP that also swears by Hindutva. The Shiromani Akali Dal joined hands with the BJP after the Shiv Sena although this once a party of the Sikhs has nothing in common with the Hindutva party.

Pawar has succeeded in effecting a deep divide in the broader Hindutva stream and this is an equally strategic dimension of the changing political discourse.

The mighty duo has now a situation to confront with. Maharashtra has posed the challenge at different levels as this state controls the capital. Mumbai might witness divided loyalties at various levels. Mumbai had virtually been acting as the flag bearer of the duo. This needs no elaboration.

The other important aspect of the situation is the Congress factor.

Case this degenerating party can now reverse its fortunes? This is not possible without complete overhaul. The positive aspect is that its base, although shrinking, has been intact as this party is still perceived to hold secular credentials. India can’t afford divisive discourse. This is the lesson that the history of this region teaches.

Corruption has ceased to be a weapon against non-BJP parties after Maharashtra. The BJP has lost its moral credentials and this is perhaps the biggest loss of the party.

The myth of invincibility of the duo stands shattered at the time when the economy is in a free fall and there are little signs of recovery in the short run. Indira Gandhi, who had emerged all powerful after dividing Pakistan in two in 1971 war got destabilised due to economic crisis. Here is the lesson from history.

It is the economy that matters in the long run. Of course, elections are not won or lost in India on developmental issues. Elections in India are fought on slogans but it is the ground situation that shapes perception in the long run.

The fall of the mighty is likely to puncture the Hindutva dreamers.