The Maharashtra government, that non-BJP parties had been fantasising about, is now reality. The month-long drama ended with the state getting a tri-partite government that is supported by 169 members in a 288-MLA house. In making it possible, hatchets were buried, diverse ideologies put in cold storage and parties, especially regional forces across the country, given a loud and clear message that the sole goal of ousting the BJP could be achieved if the Opposition stood together. In Maharashtra, the Opposition was joined by an estranged BJP ally, the Shiv Sena, to drive the BJP away into the role of Opposition despite it having the highest numbers in the Assembly.

However, one should not forget an important aspect of the dramatic arrangement, that it happened after the people gave the BJP-Shiv Sena pre-poll alliance a clear mandate to rule the state. We know why the Sena parted ways with the BJP. Now, the question is whether the parties across the country that want the BJP juggernaut stalled will also come together in pre-poll alliances or wait for post-Assembly/Lok Sabha pacts to happen? They will have to weigh the pros and cons of both situations if they are to put up a joint fight against the BJP.