A message for the Congress as political heat is turned on

NCP chief Sharad Pawar with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis. File pic

The past speaks for itself. Amid the Hanuman Chalisa row that refuses to die down, senior BJP leader Ashish Shelar revealed last week at a newspaper event that there had been a plan to induct the NCP into the Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP and Shiv Sena government in 2017, but the scheme didn't materialise because the BJP wanted the Sena in, too, alongside the NCP. "We didn't want our like-minded friend out," said Shelar. His party senior Sudhir Mungantiwar said that the BJP has been repenting the move of not keeping the Sena out, which ultimately joined hands with the NCP in 2019. Fadnavis revealed the purpose behind the 2017's failed proposal: "It was aimed at isolating the Congress because there was a similar effort all over the country." The former chief minister's statement comes at a time when the Congress is still struggling to make the best of being with the Sena and the NCP in the Maharashtra government.

The Congress may dismiss Fadnavis's revelation as yet another ploy to boost the ‘doubtfuls' in the century-old party, or take it seriously to mull over what may be in store in the future while many national and regional players are trying to isolate it, one way or the other. The Congress still holds the key to the stability of the MVA government, which was formed essentially to deny the BJP yet another term in Maharashtra.

The 2017 plan, which no longer is a secret, squares off the battle between the BJP and MVA, especially the Sena, which is accused of back-stabbing the former ally by joining hands with ideologically different outfits. Now, the Sena may have two incidents involving the BJP - the first being 2017 and the second being a short-lived companionship with Ajit Pawar's NCP splinter that never showed up - to counter the BJP's charge of betrayal. The Sena's belief that the BJP always wanted it out, and the 2017 plan spoke loudly about it, may get even firmer, notwithstanding the BJP's claim that it wanted the Sena to be part of the tripartite arrangement but the NCP opposed the continuation of the saffron partner. And, even if one considers that the BJP's claim holds true, the Sena and NCP have put their past behind them and forged ties that not only threaten the Congress but the BJP as well.

The repeat of the 2019 MVA formation cannot be ruled out if the BJP doesn't realise a dream of winning a majority on its own in 2024. Weakling Congress is aware that both the Sena and NCP are expanding their base using the government at their disposal while the Gandhi-led party struggles to reorganise itself to meet the challenges. Now again, it's over to the ‘infighting specialist' Congress leaders who have acted smart and junked poll strategist Prashant Kishor's revival plan.

Meanwhile, the war between the BJP and Sena has intensified. Sena president and CM Uddhav Thackeray launched a frontal attack on the opposition parties a day before the BJP and estranged cousin and MNS president Raj Thackeray held rallies in Mumbai and communally sensitive Aurangabad, which the Sena and MNS refer to as Sambhaji Nagar in commemoration of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the great warrior son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who fought against Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Uddhav anticipated that the BJP and MNS would fan Hindutva - the MNS chief would speak up for removing loudspeakers and the BJP would question his party's Hindutva. The CM appealed to the people on the occasion of Maharashtra's Foundation Day to not fall for any instigation and assured that his government will keep peace. A couple of days before it, he sharpened his attack on PM Narendra Modi, who had raised the issue of the ‘erring non-BJP' states that have not reduced value added tax on petrol and diesel, thus keeping the fuel prices higher. Speculations were rife that the state cabinet could give some relief following the PM's prick, but it didn't happen last week.

Meanwhile, the prices of all commodities, including CNG, are on the rise. The CNG has become costlier and the popular fuels - petrol and diesel - have become very expensive, impacting the overall market. There appears no immediate relief for the people, who helplessly see the ruling parties and opposition, both at the Centre and the state, engaging each other on the issues that don't matter in daily life. Add to it the electricity shortage which has turned into a national crisis. The heat is on, not only because of volatile politics but also because of climate change.

Dharmendra Jore is political editor, mid-day. He tweets @dharmendrajore
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