And for a Friday in Mumbai, in the midst of a blazing summer and election fever, some thoughts….. some musings…..
Maharashtra sends 48 members to the Lok Sabha and is the second largest contingent, after UP, amongst all states of India. However, this 2024 election, most political pandits are confused about the likely outcomes. Every major political formation has split with leaders migrating from one party to other. Unlike the last elections, the Shiv Sena has split into two parties; one led by current CM Eknath Shinde and the other by the former CM Udhav Thackeray. Both claim to the legacy of Balasaheb, the founder of the regional party which had originally started as an anti-Madarasi, anti South Indian outfit, only to protect the interests of Marathi people, their employment and welfare. That outfit had metamorphosed into a right wing Hindutva party and now has two factions whose ideologies and political philosophies are blurred. Similarly, the Maharashtra strong man Sharad Pawar’s NCP is now spilt with his nephew having crossed, recrossed and re-recrossed into the Government in Power. The Congress has seen a lot of desertion in its leadership and is now a pale image of its powerful past. BJP too is struggling with internal strife and pressures.
The confusion is best exemplified in South Mumbai Parliamentary constituency. Arguably India’s most prestigious and probably the country’s richest, which includes Malabar Hill, Colaba and the homes of India’s who’s who of the industrialists. Apart from the re-nomination of the sitting MP, Mr. Arvind Sawant, the other parties are still struggling to agree on a consensus candidate. Only other constituency I am keenly following is Trivandrum. My friend Dr. Shashi Tharoor has a formidable and tough opponent this time. With the nomination of current Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, not to forget a strong left front nominee Pannian Raveendran, too is in the fray.
The world’s largest democracy is conducting this massive exercise in 7 phases. May the best Candidates win, the Ethical way, the Democratic way, the SEEGOS way.