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Journalism of Courage
On October 13 Maharashtra heads into an assembly election,an exercise some might liken to rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. The ruling Congress-NCP coalition is re-examining its relationship. Buoyed by a national election where it emerged triumphant in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar where it had long been written off,and significantly enlarged its presence in Maharashtra,the Congress now figures its time to show the NCP whos boss. Of course,much of this may be misplaced cockiness,since general elections and assembly elections obey different logics,and it is possible to attribute Congress victories to Raj Thackerays insurgent MNS scuttling the BJP-Shiv Senas chances; but,either way,the Congress is raring to expand its footprint in the state,and the NCP will simply have to deal. The NCP is further hobbled by the fact that it is the partner associated by many with the ongoing agricultural crisis which means it is hobbled by the worst of the baggage of incumbency.
Meanwhile,the opposition finds itself even more unequipped for Maharashtras challenges. The BJP is too busy worrying about its own brutal identity crisis,and whats more,it doesnt have leaders of the same wattage. The Sena might still fight in it,but it cant go it alone,and is under siege from smaller forces. Besides the upwardly mobile Third Front,made up of the Republican Party of India,the Peasants and Workers party,the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana and so on,theres also the BSP to contend with. That one of the laziest and most inefficient state governments in Indias recent history a record capped by the dismal failure,after several assurances to the contrary,to clear crucial infrastructure projects in Mumbai before the ECs model code of conduct comes in is not on the defensive is a testament to the oppositions abdication.
