Cul-de-sac for Sharad, Uddhav?

BETWEEN US The Maharashtra results, which are against the expectations of many political analysts, have established that the Bharatiya Janata Party because of its superior strategy, robust organization and unlimited resources, is streets ahead of its opponents.

- PANKAJ VOHRA

It has in fact reversed the Lok Sabha trend, as it had done earlier in Haryana, and ensured that a government I supported by it would be in power once again in the state.

The outcome of the polls has sent multiple messages across the political spectrum which the losers may find hard to digest. However, the allegations of EVM tampering which are being spoken about in hushed voices, will have no bearing until there is sufficient evidence to support this serious charge. It is evident that there is no proof so why talk about it.

The results have spelt out in clear terms that it would be a political cul de sac for both Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray, who may find it extremely difficult to bounce back into relevance. As nephew Ajit Pawar had stated during the campaign, his uncle, Sharad was the party's past, and he himself its future. Similarly, Eknath Shinde has ensured that the Shiv Sena cadres rallied behind him and deserted Uddhav Thackeray, who they accused of diluting the organization's ideology by the tie-up with Pawar and the Congress.

In this context, the two rising stars of Maharashtra politics are both Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde, who is likely to be retained as the Chief Minister, even though the BJP has won handsomely all over the state. Although, BJP sources are speaking about a Chief Minister from their party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is expected to have the last word on the matter, may back Shinde for his stellar performance.