THE OTHER ASPIRANTS
A look at the political record of some of the other leaders who believe they can play a significant role
in an opposition alliance in 2024.
ILLUSTRATIONS BY SATISH ACHARYA
Congress, staid and so fixated with tradition that they have a dim vision of the future; and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) that Pawar leads.
While Pawar may tire of being called “kingmaker” and “the power behind the throne”, he is undeniably the one who mentors the MVA. It is his influence and advice that has seen the MVA through its two-and-ahalf years in power.
While Thackeray and his ministers handle the day-to-day matters, it is Pawar they turn to when it comes to handling the bigger picture. For instance, in April, Pawar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi and mentioned his concerns over the Enforcement Directorate’s actions against Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut. He also expressed his displeasure at Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari delaying passing the 12 names recommended by Thackeray for nomination to the State Legislative Council. Both issues should have been handled at the State level, but with the State BJP asking the Centre to intensify pressure on the State government, finally it fell upon Pawar to intervene with the Centre.
When the MVA was formed they had an alliance code that logically said that no partnerships would be formed that would hurt the alliance. But this year during the zilla parishad election,