Maharashtra Politics these days….
A big Hello to all of you and let me tell you even if I am writing seldomly these days, I along with baba have started our own YouTube channel on Maharashtra Politics and the content there is what we were writing, explosive and OFF THE RECORD ! But then one of our regular readers said, Vikrant, don’t quit writing, and then I thought to myself, absolutely, Why not dabble in both the fields? So here I am ! For the unknown on YouTube you can search for “Vikrant Joshi” to access all our videos which we upload everyday…
Moving on, a lot has happened and continues to happen in Maharashtra politics. Frankly my mind is in the same state as it was during the MVA government, “confused”! I am not understanding how come not once the stars align in Maharashtra since 2019. We as Maharashtrains don’t deserve any of this government. If MVA was corrupt, you need to be naive to think this government is leaving any stone unturned to make money. Yes, there is a difference, the Sena Minister’s have escalated the cost to almost double of what MVA Ministers asked as kickbacks or commissions. Hence projects are going out and none of the corporate is ready to do any business with this government, only exception being, if Fadnavis is involved or if he is heading that department. Rest all the Ministers are making a merry and both the CM and the Dy CM are left on mercy to sign the files. Catch 22, you see for both of them!
If BJP Mantri’s are lagging way behind in terms of corruption right now, most of the Shinde faction 39 MLA’s are leaving not a single opportunity to be the liaison on anything. Right from transferring an IPS to getting revenue matters cleared, most of these 39 MLA’s are creating havoc in Mantralaya. As far as bureaucrats go, they all are made to look like mere order followers. You know what the problem is, the problem is there is no class left in the functioning of the government and the biggest problem is that I think except for Eknath Shinde, most of the 39 have still NOT accepted Devendra Fadnavis or the BJP as their real partner. The mentality remains the same, as to what we saw in the previous government.
What I had tweeted a couple of days ago, seems to be true now. Release of Sanjay Raut on bail, his praises for Fadnavis and hunger to meet PM Modi and Amit Shah, Anil Parab getting anticipatory bail and support of Uddhav faction to the BJP on the Savarkar issue is showing me to go only in one direction. Uddhav Thackeray and company are extending an olive branch to the BJP central leadership. Reasons can be attributed to the CBI clearance given in Maharashtra by this #ED government. I feel anytime an Anil Parab or even a Patankar could have been in trouble and hence I think ‘Vahini’ could have sensed the danger ahead and hence the peace or the olive branch. But I am also told that the Prince is in no mood for the ammenedant and hence hugging another prince from Congress was a sign of revolt in the family. But eventually, he will come around, I am told!
If all this confusion was not done, our Hon’ble Governor sparked controversy when he said things about our Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Totally uncalled for, right? At least I felt so! Then the unnecessary ‘Bindi’ remark by Bhide Guruji and then the saree comment for women journalists by Supriya Sule. Ajit Pawar does not look threatening as a leader of opposition and Sharad Pawar’s silence is not helping common citizens at all. Some reporters told me Rahul Gandhi’s #BharatJodo yatra was a super success in Maharashtra and even local media (cable channels) along with few prime time channels failed to showcase the strength Rahul Gandhi managed to pull in Maharashtra. Hence, he came and he went. But the ground report speaks a lot.
I don’t feel there is any chance of mid-term polls as of now but you never know what DELHI is capable of pulling off. Aise hi nahi, you get to hear praises of Amit Shah from Maharashtra BJP leaders. One fine day you never know, by the looks of it I won’t be surprised if Sena (Uddhav faction) and BJP join hands. Eknath Shinde’s group, like that of Narayan Rane’s Swabhiman party, can be merged with this new Maha-Yuti. You never know…
But let me tell you one thing, not one single man in the BJP is ready to shake hands with any Sena man or even with the NCP if time comes. They are fed-up too. I mean tell me in all honesty, how many BJP MLA’s are seen in Mantralaya? None, they are also angry and confused. First with no expansion news and secondly with the dominance of Shinde faction MLA’s in every ‘file’.
Suddenly there has been a rise in social media warriors for Congress. Journalists who are sitting home have all of a sudden filled gas in their tank and are blowing it on the BJP. Not that even one thing matters, but the atmosphere to work in this state for bureaucrats, press and even a few good MLA’s and Ministers is not conducive.
Best thing is, this time, Fadnavis has kept all his close associates at bay. I feel for this man. One who made all this happen, is simply stuck as a normal Home Minister and a DyCM. And mind you, he is giving all the respect to the post of the CM and all the calls you see, barring a few, even transfers of bureaucrats are those of Shinde’s ! His lying low, speaks a lot, but at the same time the relation between both Shinde and Fadnavis is EXCELLENT.
Now common people and journalists will not be allowed to enter the 6th floor of Mantralaya. But wasn’t this CM a ‘common man’s’ CM? Rather than closing the avenues to meet, they should have taken necessary steps to streamline the public on the 6th floor of Mantralaya. Rest all remains the same, highlight is the BJP Ministers are falling surely short in front of the glamour, aggression and in HUNGER of few Sena Ministers in this #ED government.
Vikrant Hemant Joshi.
