Our Political Desk
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra has yet again displayed a troubling disregard for constitutional norms and democratic principles. The refusal of its newly elected members to take the oath of office in the state assembly signals a deliberate affront to the electoral process. This act is not only condemnable but also indicative of the alliance’s larger political hypocrisy and inability to reconcile with its failures.
The opposition’s frequent criticism of the Election Commission and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) has become a predictable, albeit baseless, pattern. When results favor them, they remain silent about EVMs, but when they lose, the machines are conveniently scapegoated. This selective criticism reeks of hypocrisy and undermines public trust in democratic institutions.
The recent elections have exposed the opposition’s inability to connect with voters consistently. While the Congress-led alliance managed to perform well in certain contexts, their narratives failed to resonate universally. This discrepancy became glaringly evident in Haryana and Maharashtra, where the electorate decisively rejected them, contrasting sharply with the alliance’s performance in the Lok Sabha elections.
In Maharashtra, the electorate delivered a clear mandate for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the previous assembly elections. However, Uddhav Thackeray’s betrayal of this mandate—by breaking away from the BJP and forming an ideologically incongruent alliance with the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)—did not sit well with voters. This discontent resurfaced in the recent elections, reinforcing the perception of the MVA as an opportunistic coalition rather than a credible alternative.
The Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde, which realigned with the BJP mid-term, appears to have received the electorate’s endorsement. Shinde’s move, carried out within the bounds of the anti-defection law, secured legal and popular legitimacy. Similarly, Ajit Pawar’s decision to align with the BJP reflects a broader trend of political realignment driven by dissatisfaction with the MVA’s governance.
The MVA government’s tenure was marred by allegations of corruption and administrative inefficiency. High-profile controversies, such as the threats against industrialist Mukesh Ambani and media suppression involving journalist Arnab Goswami, further tarnished its credibility. These incidents, combined with the alliance’s inability to deliver on governance promises, contributed to its declining public support.
In stark contrast, the NDA government in Maharashtra has presented itself as a stable and ideologically coherent alternative. The electorate’s decisive mandate for the Mahayuti coalition, which now commands over 230 seats in the 288-member assembly, underscores the public’s preference for strong and consistent leadership.
The MVA’s refusal to accept electoral outcomes and its demand for a return to paper ballots reflect a misplaced strategy of denial and deflection. Such actions not only alienate voters but also raise questions about the alliance’s commitment to democratic principles. By indulging in theatrics and refusing to participate constructively in the legislative process, the MVA risks further eroding its political relevance.
Moreover, the alliance’s internal cohesion remains fragile. The ideological divergence among its constituents—the Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena factions—has always been a weak point. With Ajit Pawar’s defection and Eknath Shinde’s growing influence, the MVA faces an uphill battle to maintain unity.
The electorate’s evolving maturity, evident in its decisive voting patterns across states, serves as a warning to political parties that rely on divisive narratives and opportunistic alliances. While tribal voters in Jharkhand might have favored the Congress-JMM coalition despite allegations against its leadership, voters in Haryana and Maharashtra displayed a preference for stability and governance.
For the MVA, the path forward demands introspection and a commitment to rebuilding trust with voters. Continuing on its current trajectory of denial and disarray will only hasten its political irrelevance.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi’s antics in the Maharashtra assembly reflect a broader crisis of credibility for opposition politics in India. Unless parties like the Congress and its allies address their strategic missteps and prioritize governance over rhetoric, they will continue to face rejection at the ballot box.
