What has the BJP achieved by aligning with Ajit Pawar? This is one of the questions circulating in Maharashtra's political corridors following the Lok Sabha election results. The BJP's decision to bring Ajit Pawar into the NDA fold last July is now under intense review, especially given the disappointing performance of Ajit Pawar's NCP in the parliamentary polls.
His party contested four seats and secured only one victory. Sunil Tatkare, the NCP state chief, won the Raigarh constituency by a narrow margin of 8%. Ajit Pawar's wife, Sunetra Pawar, was defeated in the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency by a significant margin of 1.5 lakh votes, despite Ajit Pawar's 35-year unbroken tenure representing the Baramati Vidhan Sabha seat.
In June 2022, when the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government led by Uddhav Thackeray collapsed due to Eknath Shinde's rebellion in the Shiv Sena, the BJP capitalized on the opportunity to return to power. With 105 of its own MLAs and 40 rebel MLAs from Eknath Shinde, along with support from smaller parties and independents, the BJP surpassed the 145-MLA threshold needed to form the government. Eknath Shinde, a Maratha leader, was appointed Chief Minister, with the expectation that he would help quell the Maratha agitation. The BJP lacked strong Maratha leaders, making this a strategic move.
However, the dynamics shifted when Ajit Pawar also rebelled against his uncle, Sharad Pawar, splitting the NCP. Ajit Pawar's faction joined the NDA, and he was appointed Deputy Chief Minister. The rationale behind inducting Ajit Pawar was to weaken Sharad Pawar, a significant challenger to the BJP.
Ajit Pawar, another Maratha leader, was perceived as valuable in handling the Maratha agitators. Additionally, Ajit Pawar's decision to join the NDA was likely influenced by expectations of relief from criminal cases filed against him by central and state investigation agencies. While Ajit Pawar gained what he sought, the BJP did not achieve reciprocal benefits.
When Ajit Pawar was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister, his supporters displayed banners and posters claiming he would soon become Chief Minister. However, Sharad Pawar dashed these hopes. Despite losing the official name and symbol of his party and many leaders joining the rival camp, Sharad Pawar performed impressively, winning 8 out of 10 seats. He not only ensured victories for his candidates but also sustained the MVA's impact.
Rather than gaining, the BJP has faced disadvantages by aligning with Ajit Pawar.
His induction has harmed the BJP's credibility. Before Pawar joined the government, the BJP had targeted him with corruption accusations.
In 2019, Devendra Fadnavis centered his election campaign on the promise that Ajit Pawar would be jailed upon BJP's return to power. Pawar's entry also created discomfort within Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, evident during seat-sharing talks before the Lok Sabha polls.
The inclusion of NCP in the NDA forced the BJP to accommodate three parties instead of two, leading to internal conflicts. The defeat of Hemant Godse, a candidate from Shinde's Sena, in the Nashik seat is attributed to non-cooperation from NCP's Chhagan Bhujbal, who was also interested in the seat.
Additionally, Ajit Pawar proved to be of no help to mitigate the Maratha agitation. On the contrary,the comments from OBC leaders in his party, like Chhagan Bhujbal, against Maratha leaders exacerbated the situation.
With the Maharashtra legislative elections just four months away, it remains to be seen whether the BJP will continue its alliance with Ajit Pawar or sever ties.
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