Success doesn’t equal satisfaction

(From left) Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, and NCP national president Sunetra Pawar. Comments by certain leaders in the ruling alliance in the past few months reveal that not everyone within the Mahayuti is happy. PIC/X/@Dev_Fadnavis

The biggest political battles in Maharashtra may no longer be between the ruling alliance and the Opposition. As Opposition parties struggle to put up a strong challenge, the real fight is increasingly happening within the ruling alliance itself, over seats, tickets, positions, and political ambitions.

The recent Legislative Council elections are the latest example.

Much attention has been given to the setbacks suffered by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). In Konkan and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Shiv Sena (UBT) candidates withdrew at the last moment.

In Thane, a candidate backed by NCP-SP also stepped aside. In Vidarbha, developments left many Congress workers disappointed and confused. These are certainly setbacks for the Opposition.

But the bigger political story may be unfolding inside the ruling Mahayuti.

The Legislative Council elections are only one example. In recent months, leaders from alliance partners have openly expressed their frustration. Shiv Sena MLA Abdul Sattar recently remarked that it was no longer a question of the BJP merely "cutting the wings" of its allies, but causing much greater political damage. Whether one agrees with him or not, such comments show that not everyone within the alliance is happy.

This becomes even clearer in places such as Nashik, Jalgaon, and Ahilyanagar.

In several cases, leaders denied official nominations because a seat was allotted to another alliance partner have decided to contest as independents. In effect, alliance partners are finding themselves in direct competition with each other.

At first glance, these rebellions may look like signs of weakness. In reality, they are often signs of success.

Political history offers many examples. During the Congress party's strongest years, the real competition was often not against Congress but within Congress. The biggest prize was not defeating the party but getting a Congress ticket.

Today, the BJP occupies a similar position in Maharashtra politics. Election after election, it has expanded its influence. More leaders want to join a winning political force. More workers expect recognition. More local leaders believe they deserve an opportunity.

The problem is simple: success creates more claimants than available positions. There are only so many election tickets, ministerial posts, and important appointments to distribute. But every victory creates new expectations. Every leader feels he deserves a reward. Every worker believes his loyalty should be recognised. When those expectations are not met, frustration follows.

Many political rebellions are not driven by ideology. They are driven by a much simpler question: "Why him and not me?"

The challenge becomes even bigger when successful parties attract leaders from rival camps. From an electoral point of view, it makes sense. New entrants bring influence, networks and votes.

But every time a newcomer is accommodated, someone who has spent years building the organisation starts asking questions.

The induction and quick nomination of Prajakt Tanpure has become one such talking point among sections of BJP workers. The question many are asking is simple: when will loyalty be rewarded?

This is not a problem unique to the BJP. Every dominant political party faces it. Workers who have spent years building an organisation naturally compare themselves with recent entrants. And in politics, perception often matters more than reality.

That is why the current tensions deserve attention. They are not just local disputes over nominations. They are signs of the pressures that come with political success.

History offers a warning as well.

Dominant political parties often look unbeatable at the peak of their power. But dissatisfaction does not disappear simply because it is not visible. It quietly builds beneath the surface.

And when circumstances change, when opportunities arise, or when political equations shift, those frustrations can suddenly come out in the open.

This does not mean the BJP-led alliance faces any immediate threat. But dominance and satisfaction are not the same thing.

As the Opposition becomes weaker, pressures within the ruling alliance are bound to increase. The main political contest increasingly shifts from government versus Opposition to one faction versus another, one aspiring leader versus another, and sometimes one alliance partner versus another.

That is the real lesson from the current round of rebellions.

Winning elections is difficult. Managing the expectations created by repeated victories may be even more difficult.

Today, very few political forces in Maharashtra appear capable of seriously challenging the BJP's dominance. But history teaches an important lesson. Powerful parties often do not face their biggest challenges from their opponents.

More often, the real challenge comes from within, from the ambitions, expectations and frustrations that success itself creates.

Sanjeev Shivadekar is political editor, mid-day. He tweets @SanjeevShivadek
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The views expressed in this column are the individual's and don't represent those of the paper.