BJP’s biggest masterstroke of all: Elevates Shinde and draws the curtain on a dynasty leadership

India’s vibrant democracy replete with varied challenges is never boring. The crisis in Maharashtra, following an internal rebellion, that came to the fore on June 20^st post-MLC elections created a political upheaval leading to the collapse of 31-month-old Maha Vikas Agadi (MVA) and the ascension of a party worker to the post of the Chief Minister.

The ten-day drama and war of words ended with the BJP serving a masterstroke that stumped the political commentariat. The announcement of rebel leader Eknath Shinde as the Chief Minister created an earthquake of sorts decimating the pumped-up theory of “Operation Kamal” based on the premise that the BJP perpetually indulges in number games and topples the governments. This theory dominated the narrative even as a Sena MLA, Deepak Kesarkar in a letter titled- “Safe Guarding Hindutva: Not a rebellion; but a fight for self-respect” stated that they aren’t against the current Sena leadership.

By entering into an alliance with NCP and Congress which have nothing in common but contradicting ideologies with Shiva Sena, Uddhav Thackery formed a united front MVA and made a huge compromise on principles. Sena workers often expressed their extreme dissatisfaction with the functioning of NCP and Congress in the MVA to their leader Uddhav Thackery. However, things have come to a bind wherein the Sena MLAs believed that staying in the unholy alliance is an affront to their self-respect as their support base began to dwindle.

Inflicting a devastating blow to the dynasty politics, the BJP which considers Pariwarwad dangerous to a healthy democracy, walked the talk. Pending the Supreme Court decision on the spate of ‘rebel’ Shiva Sena MLAs, BJP extended support to the faction and declared their leader, Eknath Shinde as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. This marks a new chapter in Indian politics. Family-based politics dominate the Indian polity. Without exception, the baton of leadership is always transferred to members of the family making the party a family domain. In the process, eligible youth are deprived of the opportunity to raise in ranks and reach the top leadership.

In a major break from this tradition, BJP recognised Eknath Shinde as the leader of the Shiva Sena and extended support for government formation. Shiva Sena is identified with an ideology expounded by the founder Balasaheb Thackery. As a natural corollary, being the heir of Balasaheb Thackery, Uddhav Thackery held the mantle of party leadership. Endorsing a non-Thackery wedded to the Hindutva ideology of Balasaheb as the leader of the party was thus inconceivable. Hence the elevation of Shinde as leader of the alliance party by the BJP has changed the course of Indian politics as most of the parties are identified with their families. This move besides neutralising the hold of Thackery’s on the party raised serious questions about their political future.

Sacrificing the Chief Minister post, BJP has not only blunted all the allegations of being power-hungry but earned immense goodwill by being generous. Sena supporters and Shinde will harbour a feeling of gratitude towards the BJP. Slipping into the post of Deputy Chief Minister despite the numbers favouring him, Devendra Fadnavis has turned all the odds against him to his advantage. Besides escaping any brickbats in event of any misgovernance or misappropriation, he will stay away from public scrutiny but will continue to enjoy access to decision-making as an insider. This continuity of staying in the administration would help in his future stints.

Also, BJP and Shiva Sena are identified as Hindutva parties and share common ideological moorings. Working in tandem, Sena and BJP can make huge gains in the 2024 general elections and can give the opposition parties a run for their money. The opposition has to work twice as hard to retain their vote base. NCP can still rely on their leader Sharad Pawar to fall back. Devoid of any credible leadership and a dedicated leader, Congress will stare at near extinction. Over a period of time, given its clout and extensive machinery, BJP can consolidate its electoral base at the cost of Sena. Sena has been intimidated by the untrammelled ascendency of the BJP and felt eclipsed. It feared being swallowed by BJP. Its worst fears might come true.

After Balasaheb’s death and the rise of Modi, Sena and BJP which were in alliance for years faced ego clashes and NCP hasn’t missed the opportunity to drive a wedge between them. Sena has been the dominant right-wing party during Balasaheb’s time. After his demise, BJP began to overshadow Sena with its rise. In 2014, BJP treated Sena with disdain and Uddhav paid back BJP in the same coin in 2019 by pulling out of the pre-poll alliance.

Shinde’s elevation and depriving Uddhav of the claims over Sena’s legacy are now construed as the BJP’s way of exacting revenge. But on the contrary, by conceding the Chief Minister post and settling for Deputy Chief Minister, BJP has debunked the contentions of humiliating regional parties.

Sena an ethnic, nativist party began its journey by supporting Mumbai’s Marathi-speaking population. Since it started espousing Hindu interests, its base has been anti-Congress. But Sena’s overtures to Congress and MVA stint have eroded its base. To reclaim their support, Sena has to now deliver on its promises. Else the disenchanted voters have their best alternative in BJP.

Maharashtra’s MVA has been a classic case of backstabbing and dishonouring the electoral mandate. Dumping the pre-poll alliance, Sena severed ties with BJP and formed an opportunistic front with NCP and Congress. While Sena alleges to have a pre-poll alliance agreement of rotating chief ministership, thus far, it failed to convincingly prove its claims and accused the BJP of cheating. BJP has resurrected its image by handing over the reign to a Sena leader and absolved itself of all the allegations and came clean with a statement-“Eknath Shinde will be the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra, this is BJP’s tribute to Balasaheb Thackery”. Through this political googly, the BJP convincingly portrayed itself as a real saviour of Hindutva.

Renouncing the Chief Minister post, the BJP catapulted itself to a different level in the battle of political narratives. This entire episode has an important lesson for Congress rebel leaders embattled by a decrepit leadership and dynasty entitlement- Unshackle from an asphyxiating leadership and try to cultivate a dedicated vote base on the strength of the ideology. But unfortunately for Congress, there is none!!

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