Factors at play: Huge
anti-incumbency + Ruling Party/Alliance Corruption + Modi Wave/Modi Factor +
Promises of Developmental Politics.
Narendra Modi didn't campaign in
bypolls: BJP languished. Modi campaigned extensively in assembly polls,
inviting sarcastic remarks from his opponents and allies that he should have
stayed focused on delivering in Delhi: BJP registers historic victories in
Harayana and Maharashtra. It re-establishes the Modi Wave discourse as the
central theme of political analyses on upcoming elections, Jammu & Kashmir
and Jharkhand.
Maharashtra verdict: It was also
about realignment of political affiliations and alliances in Maharashtra with
new realities and changed circumstances and BJP has emerged as the clear
winner. Parties contesting on their own to realize their political grounds - it
had become politically imperative after decades of fighting together in
alliances. It was to happen, sooner or later. But no Pankaja Munde or anyone
like her, with being the daughter or son of a top politician as the only qualification,
as the claimant of chief minister's chair please. In absence of an acceptable
face to all, BJP may decide on Nitin Gadkari.
Out of NCP, Congress and Shiv
Sena, the biggest setback goes to Shiv Sena. It is the biggest loser in spite
of registering growth, in seats and in vote share. Many in the party would be rightly
thinking now, that just for 5 seats, they lost the 'senior ally' in Maharashtra
tag, and that too, by a huge margin. Yes, they are the second largest party in
Maharashtra assembly but their 63 seats are nowhere near to BJP's 122 seats,
given the fact that BJP had been acting as the junior partner of Shiv Sena in
Maharashtra and was ready to do so even this time, agreeing to contest on
lesser number of seats than Shiv Sena in the failed seat-sharing talks.
The one 'glorious' highlight of
the Maharashtra verdict - MNS and politics of hatred has been rejected. No
glory for Raj Thackeray and his brand of politics. In fact, the whole Bal
Thackeray clan deserves it if the family members don't change their ways. Bravo
Maharahstra voters. Jai ho Marathi Manoos.
Also, the Hooda government wipe-out
in Haryana was long overdue. Its arrogance and corruption was reeking nepotism and
anti-democratic practices. There was an absolute family rule with the clan
coming first in exploiting the state's resources. It was even cordially
extended to a member of yet another 'first family' in Delhi. But, will the BJP
led government reinstate the pride and position of honest officials like Ashok
Khemka? Remain sceptical and take it with a spoon of salt given the controversy
surrounding AIIMS whistleblower Sanjiv Chaturvedi's removal.
The country would see more of
BJP's 'walk alone' strategy in upcoming polls after its unprecedented
performance in Maharashtra and Haryana. In Haryana, from 2009 to 2014, the
party scaled up its show from 4 to 47 seats winning the majority while
contesting alone. In Maharashtra, though there were some small parties in
alliance, it was largely about BJP. Contesting under the shadow of Shiv Sena
for decades, the party stumped all emerging as the largest party. In fact, it
is after 1990 that any party has win over 100 seats in Maharashtra and that
party is BJP. It would certainly bolster Narendra Modi and Amit Shah who prefer
to contest alone or on their own terms and talk emphatically of clear majority
in electoral politics.