Identity politics has been Maharashtra’s most abiding policy for over four decades. It is dangerous and unconstitutional in its worst aspects, but presumably, it provides solace to the insecure. It never did however become Maharashtra’s only political force since its success has been limited and the “enemy” has changed over the years.

Of course Maharashtra is not the only state where politicians divide people in whichever way they can to increase vote shares and it is definitely not the worst. The sort of hate politics going on between the newly formed Telangana and the rest of what was Andhra Pradesh and is now Seemandhra emphasises why intra-family feuds are the most vicious and vindictive.