At the week-long Winter Session of the Maharashtra Assembly in Nagpur that ended on Saturday, the euphoria of the Mahayuti’s landslide victory was short lived.
Instead, coalition conflict in the ruling alliance played out in the open, including the fact that the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP are yet to work out portfolio distribution nearly a month after the results were declared on November 23. In the absence of a clear redressal mechanism, these issues may linger.
What has been more surprising is the otherwise disciplined BJP’s failure to stem the confusion that has prevailed despite the big win, starting with even swearing-in of the top three (Chief Minister and the two Deputy CMs) and then that of other ministers. Officially, there has been no explanation forthcoming, but BJP watchers are surprised at how the party has allowed junior allies Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar to play hard ball.
Officially, Fadnavis has maintained, “There are absolutely no differences. Everything is decided. And all three parties are working as a team.”
However, sources admitted that with all three Mahayuti parties winning Assembly seats beyond their expectations, all of them are facing a problem of plenty. A senior BJP functionary pointed out, “With the BJP winning 132 seats on its own, Sena chief Shinde knew he stood no chance of retaining the CM’s post. So, he pitched for the crucial Home ministry, which the BJP blatantly refused… Meanwhile, NCPchief Pawar has been unbudging on his demand for the Finance Ministry.” There is also a tussle over other crucial portfolios such as the Public Works Department, Energy, Housing and Industries.
A political strategist in the BJP said, “When you have a coalition government, conflicts are in-built. Every decision takes time as you have to strike a consensus that requires adjustments and compromises… Apart from that, each party including the BJP had a tough time shortlisting candidates. There were at least 36 strong contenders for ministerial berths, of whom only 19 made it to the Cabinet.”
The Shinde Sena has 57 expectant MLAs and Ajit Pawar’s NCP 41.
“Under one-party rule, the matter is resolved in minutes. With three parties, there are issues that require central leadership’s intervention,” a party insider said.
On top of the portfolio allocation issues, the BJP’s decision to drop four sitting ministers, including senior leader Sudhir Mungantiwar, was not hassle free.
In the NCP too, senior leader Chhagan Bhujbal publicly expressed his disappointment after being denied a Cabinet berth. “I stood by the OBCs at a time when there were attacks from all sides. I fought activist Manoj Jarange Patil, who was seeking Maratha reservation in the OBC quota. I think the denial of a minister post is the reward for my hard work,” Bhujbal said.
The Sena hasn’t been immune either, with former minister Tanaji Sawant saying, “I was promised a Cabinet minister post, which was not kept.” An unhappy Sawant also replaced his Shiv Sena social media profile picture with a photo of party founder Bal Thackeray. Another former minister Vijay Shivtare said, “I am upset at how I have been treated.”
Roles reversed?
After the poll results gave Mahayuti as many as 230 of the total 288 seats, leaving just 46 for the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, questions had been raised over the potential efficacy of the Opposition. However, now the notes of dissent within the Mahayuti are resonating far louder.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray underlined, “With such a magnificent victory, one would expect rejoicing. What has come to the fore is discontent and differences within Mahayuti.”
Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole echoed Thackeray’s sentiments. “If everything is fine, then why is it taking so long to form the Cabinet and allocate portfolios?” Once Cabinet ministers take their oaths, portfolios are generally allocated within 24 hours. But in the Mahayuti’s case, it has been several weeks, Patole added.
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