MIM changing Maharashtra politics.

The vote-bank politics in Maharashtra is changing. While the emergence of the All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen in the state is ensuring the unity of the reluctant ruling partners, the BJP and the Shiv Sena, the Asaduddin Owaisi-led party has weakened the Congress’ support base among minorities in the state.

On the other hand, the NCP too has not been able to gain ground among minorities. The votes of dalits and Marathas are also splitting due to a number of factors in the past few years.The BJP’s strategy is to check its post-poll ally Shiv Sena from regaining the number one position. That is the reason why chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is not giving a free hand to the Shiv Sena ministers in Maharashtra, according to reports coming from Mumbai.The BJP appears to be keen on playing the separate Vidarbha card and keep non-Marathi-speaking people in Mumbai in good humour. This strategy will weaken the Shiv Sena further as its aggressive Hindutva would have no takers in Mumbai and Vidarbha.The Shiv Sena cannot afford to go alone in the coming BMC and local body polls due to multi-cornered contests, but its aggressive Hindutva line would help the BJP in Marathawada and parts of western Maharashtra, north Maharashtra and Varhad as well.Therefore, the emergence of All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen may not only keep the saffron parties together, but would help the BJP keep the Shiv Sena in check.The process of dilution of the BJP’s political untouchability had begun since 1978 when its earlier avatar, the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, had joined the Sharad Pawar-led PDF government.Now Marathas, the all-powerful community in the state, have been voting for the Congress, NCP, BJP and the Shiv Sena as well. Though their first preference is the Congress and the NCP, the Shiv Sena had also made Narayan Rane, a Maratha, the chief minister of the state after Manohar Joshi.While dalit and OBC votes too have been split due to the changing politics in Maharashtra, minorities appear to be in a double mind whether to remain with the All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen or vote for anti-BJP-Shiv Sena parties.