Ajinkya Sanjay Khandizod
Introduction
The political landscape in Maharashtra has been characterized by ongoing turmoil, with each passing day bringing new episodes of drama. In the midst of this chaotic environment, the regional party Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) has a chance to find a silver lining. Founded in 2019, just ahead of the General Elections, the VBA effectively countered the Hindutva wave in Maharashtra and secured an impressive vote count of over 4 million through its alliance with the AIMIM party. This article examines the rise of the VBA and its potential implications on the political dynamics of Maharashtra.
Inadequacies of Indian National Congress and Nationalist Congress Party
Prior to 2014, the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) struggled to establish a strong ideological foundation among their party members. The INC focused primarily on capacity-building within the party, limiting its influence largely to its members. Meanwhile, the NCP indirectly supported the Sambhaji Brigade in disseminating “progressive” ideas among the masses, although these efforts were deemed insufficient. The NCP’s leaders refrained from taking explicit stands on religious and social matters, failing to adequately represent their liberal ideals. Notable exceptions to this trend included Chhagan Bhujbal, Jitendra Awhad, and more recently, Amol Mitkari.
These shortcomings were considered inconsequential by the top leadership of both the NCP and INC, as their priority lay in gaining and maintaining power through opportunistic politics. Many INC leaders, particularly in Maharashtra, belong to influential feudalistic families, allowing them to establish a strong voter base through their entrenched positions in cooperative societies and local institutions. However, several of these leaders have defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), gaining significant political sway within their constituencies.
The Ideological Stance of Shiv Sena of Uddhav Thackeray
In contrast to the INC of Maharashtra and NCP, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena has been vocal about its ideology, particularly its stance on Mumbai, Marathi culture, and Hindutva. Uddhav Thackeray’s rejection of the “Shendi and Janwa” aspects of Hindutva, which refer to symbols associated with the Dwija caste, represents a departure from his father Bal Thackeray’s ideology. Instead, his principles seem more aligned with those of his grandfather Prabhodhankar Thackeray.
The Emergence of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA)
Amidst this complex political landscape, the VBA has emerged as a socio-political movement with its roots firmly planted in the 2019 elections. The significance of the VBA in Maharashtra lies in the fact that other major parties predominantly consist of individuals from upper castes and affluent sections of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), who possess extensive networks within different political factions. These individuals, regardless of the ruling party, frequently switch positions to suit their convenience, exhibiting a dependency on power and a willingness to negotiate in order to maintain their authority.
The VBA’s agenda of democratizing politics takes center stage, especially following Ajit Pawar and his associates’ alliance with the BJP. This alignment limits negative campaigning against the VBA, eliminating accusations of being a mere “B-team” of any BJP. Adv. Prakash Ambedkar, the leader of the VBA, openly criticizes the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and BJP, while Ajit Pawar remains notably silent on these issues.
Crucial Alliances and Electoral Prospects
The alliance between the VBA and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena holds tremendous potential in the upcoming Municipal Corporation Elections. For Uddhav Thackeray and his Shiv Sena, partnering with the VBA becomes crucial. The Mumbai Municipal Corporation, in particular, holds immense prestige for the Shiv Sena, and by aligning with the VBA instead of the INC and NCP factions aligned with Sharad Pawar, they stand a better chance of securing victory. This is especially true considering that Mumbai has a significant proportion of Scheduled Caste voters, is significant. Both Prakash Ambedkar of the VBA and Uddhav Thackeray possess a strong appeal among the masses. If they can successfully test their popularity during the Municipal Elections and achieve favorable results, it is likely that the Shiv Sena and VBA may form an alliance for the upcoming Loksabha and State Assembly Elections in 2024.
However, in Larger MVA alliance accommodating the VBA in their seat-sharing arrangements poses a challenge for the Indian National Congress and Sharad Pawar’s NCP. If a successful agreement can be reached before the 2024 elections, these four parties have the potential to emerge as strong contenders against the Bharatiya Janata Party, Shinde’s Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP. Also, not to forget the new emerging power from south, the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) of KCR.
The Uncertain Political Landscape
As the article concludes, it remains difficult to predict how the political landscape will unfold in the next 7-8 months. No party can confidently claim the stability of their current alliances, and amidst this uncertainty, the role of the VBA becomes crucial.Its vote share could prove decisive for any party aiming to secure power at the national or state level. Therefore, the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi must focus on building its cadre and engaging in negotiations to form strategic alliances. If successful, they too can secure representation through their own Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
Conclusion
The Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi’s emergence as a socio-political movement in Maharashtra has shaken the political landscape. Its ability to counter the Hindutva wave and secure a significant vote count highlights its potential impact. As Maharashtra’s major parties grapple with ideological shortcomings and opportunistic politics, the VBA’s agenda of democratizing politics offers an alternative. The upcoming Municipal Corporation Elections, where the VBA and Uddhav’s Shiv Sena alliance holds potential, will serve as a litmus test for their electoral prospects. As alliances shift and parties vie for power, the VBA’s role remains crucial, as its vote share could prove decisive in the quest for power at the national or state level.
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Ajinkya Sanjay Khandizod is pursuing MA in Social Work at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.
