Small change

They may be small parties, and Independent candidates, but the difference they make in the shifting political equations is huge

They are relatively unheard of, but these four parties and Independents, will today decide who will rule Maharashtra for another five years. While punters have already named the Congress-NCP alliance as the likely victor (short of just 10 seats from the magic figure of 145), the Sena-BJP is nipping at its heels.

Among the 2,675 small parties (few representatives in the Assembly) including Independents, these four, say political sources, will emerge the kingmakers.

Jan Surajya Shakti (JSS), headed by Vinay Kore, former minister of state for non-conventional energy. The JSS has fielded candidates in 38 seats across the state, but is primarily based in western Maharashtra - Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Solapur etc. He already has four MLAs in the Assembly and this election, with 38 candidates, the takings are expected to be more.
Where will he go: Kore had aligned with the MNS, but is also in close touch with the NCP and therefore may be inclined to go with it if they meet his demands. Kore's cell phone was switched off but his party functionary said, "We will win at least five seats."

Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghtana, headed by MP Raju Shetty, also a farmer activist.
In 2005, he defeated a Congress candidate and in the 2009 LS polls, he defeated NCP candidate Nivedita Mane from Kolhapur district. His win was a defeat of the sugar barons of the NCP and the Congress, upsetting their calculations in the LS and Assembly polls. Shetty has 14 candidates across the state and is part of the Republican Left Democratic Front, an alliance of 16 parties.u00a0
Where will he go: Shetty may support the Shiv Sena-BJP given the fact that he is fighting against established leaders from the Cong-NCP in Western Maharashtra. Besides, the Sena has withdrawn four candidates in favour of the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghtana.
"I have a few issues like irrigation projects in the Krishnakore Valley Development Corporation. My big issues are loadshedding and education. I will support the party which promises something concrete and I will not differentiate between secular dacoits and non-secular dacoits or fundamentalists.
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The Republican Party of India, headed by Ramdas Athavale.
Came together as part of the RLDF for the first time, and has fielded candidates in 85 seats in the state. Even if RPI manages to win a few seats, the members of the alliance will play a role in forming a majority.u00a0
Where will he go: RPI spokesperson Arjun Dangle said, "We will decide on who to support depending on the larger interest of the people. We may also sit in the Opposition, if required." But political sources say they RPI is more inclined to go with the NCP-Congress.

Lok Bharti headed by Kapil Patil.
Patil has fielded eight candidates across the state including high-profile ones like Vinod Kambli from Vikhroli and Congress-NCP rebel Pratap-Patil Chiklikar in Nanded district. Lok Bharti seems to be confident of bagging at least three to four seats. Even if they win a few seats, Kapil Patil can still influence a few Independents towards the Congress-NCP.
Where will he go: Said Patil, "Let's wait for the results. We will sit with our alliance partners and then decide on whom to support. If we feel the decision is not right, we remain Independent."
Patil is close to a senior Congress leader in the state and will in all probability go with the Congress-NCP if he gets a few MLAs elected.

288 seats in state
Cong-NCP: 288 candidates
BJP-Sena:u00a0 288
MNS: 150
Small parties and Independents: 2,675u00a0approximately