By Sushil Kutty
It’s a fact now: The majority of graduates and teachers of Maharashtra prefer Maha Vikas Aghadi over Bharatiya Janata Party. Uddhav Thackeray over Devendra Fadnavis. Sanjay Raut over Arnab Goswami. And, Uddhav’s Shiv Sena over Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. Uddhav’s ‘secular Shiv Sena,’ that is, shorn of Hindutva! Something which the BJP has been going to town with, gloating in the belief that Shiv Sena sans Hindutva was advantage-BJP, henceforth sole flag-bearer of Hindutva – ergo Hindu votes!
Oops! Something went wrong!! The BJP will now have to do “introspection.” Burn the proverbial midnight oil. BJP chief JP Nadda will be holding his head in his hands. BJP past president Amit Shah – “slayer of Owaisi’s AIMIM” – will be wondering why, when he could worst ‘Mahagathbandhan’ in Bihar, couldn’t beat MVA in Maharashtra?
So, can it be said that the BJP failed to read the signs in the paani-poori dregs? In tea leaves, maybe yes. But Maharashtra is not chai-bastion. Neither coffee café! Maharashtra has its own brew, and it’s got to do with Marathi pride and Mumba Devi. And, apparently, the majority of Maharashtra’s Marathi-speaking graduates and teachers did not take kindly to Uddhav Thackeray getting slighted by non-Maharashtrians.
For, it can be said with 100% sanctity that Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami contributed to BJP’s loss in these council elections. His “shenanigans” on ‘Poochta Hai Bharat’ might have won him fans across India, but not enough in Maharashtra’s hinterland to land victory for BJP. Goswami’s “incarceration” in Navi Mumbai’s Taloja Jail got him an aura, but that halo did not convert into votes for the BJP.
The reality is there’s a difference between a political animal and a media mammal! The BJP will now have to think whether riding piggyback on Republic TV was wise politics or foolhardy gamble? Goswami himself will be on the edge. A “watertight strong (fresh) charge-sheet” has been filed in the Anway abetment to suicide case, and Uddhav’s on record that he doesn’t forgive nor forget.
More work for Harish Salve! Despite and in spite of the Supreme Court, the MVA Government is not going to let Arnab Goswami off easily. Especially, not after these electoral victories in graduates and teachers’ constituencies. BJP’s poor performance could not have come at a worse time for Goswami.
The moot question: Will Arnab G., continue to play to the gallery; lay that extra stress on Uddhav and Sharad ‘Geeeeee”? Will Arnab G., keep calling Sonia Gandhi ‘Antonia Maino’ with the disparaging tone he reserves for what he calls “Vadra Congress?” Thackeray’s council victories have the potential to turn the tables on the BJP as well as Arnab Goswami.
And BJP’s Union minister Raosaheb Danve can take back the words that the MVA Government has “just two-three months more.” Ex-CM Devendra Fadnavis had the same message. He too predicted the fall of the MVA Government in “two-three months.” But the best laid plans of… BJP will now have to wash its linen and starch its khadikurta afresh. Brush up its Hindutva. The ‘Maha’ in MVA has had a ‘Maha’ impact.
The 4-1 drubbing in these council elections is a lesson for the BJP, and an inspiration for the MVA. If anybody’s got genuinely routed, it is Fadnavis. Imagine, all the while he was lording over Sushil Modi during the Bihar elections, forces were at work in his home state to cut him to size. Fadnavis told Bihar’s Modi not to fear; that S. Modi will be “properly instated.” Now, Fadnavis will have to look for “reinstating” himself.
Compare Uddhav Thackeray to Fadnavis! The current Maharashtra Chief Minister is the biggest winner of the mini-elections. There will be those who will say Sharad Pawar and the Congress party worked from behind the scenes. But it’s the public perception that counts. And the perception in the minds of the people favours Uddhav.
Also, as somebody pointed out, the “significance of the outcome is mainly on account of this being the first state-level election after the MVA came to power.” These seats cover large geographical areas and the electorate is educated, with a university degree to boot! Voters are enrolled just before the elections and those elected are held to a different and higher level of performance: They have to “deliver.”
But, that’s par for the course for every election to graduates’ and teachers’ constituencies. What stands out is that this was the first time the Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena had a pre-poll alliance. The MVA at the state-level was post-poll, thus open to barbs and ridicule.
Not anymore. These victories are a vindication of sort. Also a stark message to the BJP: Together, the Shiv Sena, Congress and the NCP, can punch above their individual might and weight. It’s also realization that a very large section of the electorate has accepted the MVA as a legitimate alliance, the genuine article!
Also, here-in-after, there’s no going back for the MVA. For the BJP major setback. “Their” morale is shot full of holes. But both protagonists will have to go back to the drawing-board. However, while the MVA has a tested plan, the BJP will have to redraw strategy. Fact of the matter is, the majority of graduates and teachers of Maharashtra are with Uddhav Thackeray, and his brand of politics. He may even last the full five years – Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray! (IPA Service)