Hindi English Translation || Editorial || Crowd of confusion: On the Maharashtra political scene, polls

Crowd of confusion: On the Maharashtra political scene, polls

The polls may settle the churn in Maharashtra politics

A mix of national and regional issues are in focus as campaigning intensifies (तीव्र करना, बढ़ाना) for the Maharashtra Assembly election of November 20. Personality clashes (टकराव, संघर्ष) and the sectional interests of leaders and outfits are also at play in the State, that has seen considerable political churn (To stir or agitate something vigorously; also, to experience rapid turnover) since the last Assembly election five years ago. Key political actors are trying to make sense of the new landscape and shape it to their advantage, as was evident (स्पष्ट) at The Hindu’s conclave in Mumbai that brought them all together this week. While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress are concentrating on national topics, the regional parties, particularly the two factions (गुट, दल) of the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party, are more focused on regional issues. In a speech on Friday (November 8, 2024), Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised Kashmir, accusing the Congress of echoing Pakistan’s view. He said the Congress, which has the demand for a nationwide caste census as a central piece of its current politics, was creating a caste division. There is competitive welfarism at play between the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray has alleged that the BJP was undermining (कमजोर करना) the State’s interests in development projects and private investments.

The MVA’s gains in the 2024 general election were largely based on a national narrative (आख्यान, कहानी, विवरण) such as protecting caste-based reservation and the Constitution. The Assembly election involves contests in 288 seats, and the BJP-led Mahayuti has the advantage of a national narrative and the capacity to organise ground campaigning. Caste dynamics also could play out differently. The MVA is seen as a Maratha-dominated platform, while the BJP has room for accommodating a wider coalition (गठबंधन, संधि) of communities. All parties are invoking Shahu Maharaj, Jyotiba Phule and Babasaheb Ambedkar, iconic figures revered in Maharashtra, but with their individual twists. The BJP’s campaign touches on caste justice by subtly (In a delicate or understated way; not obviously or strongly) challenging Maratha dominance and loudly proclaiming (घोषणा करना) Hindu unity. The party is fielding Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as a star campaigner, while its partner Ajit Pawar has declared fealty (निष्ठा, वफादारी) to secularism as a guiding principle. Appeals to regionalism are a double-edged sword as Maharashtra is home to migrant populations from several States. The changing demography (जनसांख्यिकी) could reshape the politics of Maharashtra in the decades ahead. The polity is fragmented across six major parties in the two opposing coalitions. Additionally, numerous rebel candidates of all parties are in the fray. The ongoing campaign is a reflection of confusion and contradictions; the results may begin to settle the churn.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Intensify (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - तीव्र करना, बढ़ाना
English Meaning - To increase in degree, strength, or severity.

2.Clash (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - टकराव, संघर्ष
English Meaning - A violent confrontation or conflict; disagreement or collision.

3.Evident (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - स्पष्ट
English Meaning - Clearly seen or understood; obvious.

4.Faction (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - गुट, दल
English Meaning - A small, organized, dissenting group within a larger one, especially in politics.

5.Undermine (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - कमजोर करना
English Meaning - To weaken gradually or subtly; to erode support or strength.

6.Narrative (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - आख्यान, कहानी, विवरण
English Meaning - A spoken or written account of connected events; a story.

7.Coalition (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - गठबंधन, संधि
English Meaning - An alliance for combined action, especially a temporary alliance of political parties.

8.Proclaim (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - घोषणा करना
English Meaning - To announce or declare officially or publicly.

9.Fealty (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - निष्ठा, वफादारी
English Meaning - Loyalty or allegiance, especially to a lord or ruler.

10.Demography (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - जनसांख्यिकी
English Meaning - The statistical study of populations, especially human beings.

11.Churn (Verb)

English Meaning - To stir or agitate something vigorously; also, to experience rapid turnover.

12.Subtly (Adverb)

English Meaning - In a delicate or understated way; not obviously or strongly.