“Maharashtra Politics – Voter Is Becoming Irrelevant”, News Bharati, July 3, 2023:
“The recent move of a big chunk of MLAs to join the BJP-SS government has created a virtual earthquake in Maharashtra politics. The Epicentre of this earthquake may be Maharashtra but its devastating effect will be felt in national politics too. However, its collateral damage is the common citizen, the voter. I will look at this event and also offer a proposed solution.
It is the beginning of the end of Sharad Pawar era in Maharashtra politics where he thrived on his strong political grounding, control over the administration and IAS lobby and manipulative skills. With maximum 22.6% of vote share at its peak in 1999 to 16.7% in 2019, and MLA strength touching 71 in 2004 with only 18.7% vote share due to alliance with Congress, Sharad Pawar always punched beyond his weight, successfully.
His rise began with splitting Congress in 1978 to become become Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He joined Congress again but split away from Congress in protest against a foreigner, Sonia Gandhi, leading the government and the party, only to be part of the alliance again. He is one of the rare politicians to have survived and thrived after leaving Congress….”
Read the full article at Newsbharati.com
