Maharashtra elections

After much discussions and deliberations the two long standing alliances in Maharashtra, which is going to polls in another two weeks, have split and the constituents have decided to sweat it out on their own. This will effectively lead to a six cornered contest in almost all constituencies among the congress, BJP, NCP, Shiv Sena, MNS and the left parties. And quite naturally, it is almost certain that none of these parties will be able to win a clear majority of seats to enable them to form a government. In such a scenario, these parties which had parted ways for some seats, will surely come together in the lust for power to stake their claim to form the government. Should the governor permit such post poll alliances, befooling the common voter? Will it not be against the clear mandate given by the voter? When these parties had fought against each other how can they come together and form an alliance to form the government? Even though there is no clear provision in the Representation of Peoples Act to deal with such a situation, I hope the Governor and the President will apply their mind judiciously and disallow any such claims put forward by any post poll alliances. But then the question will arise what will happen to the governance of the state. Let the state be put under President's rule for one or two terms (for which provisions are there in the constitution) by which time the politicians will become wiser and take a firm decision before approaching the electorate. The governor should be permitted to choose people of eminence from various fields to advise him during the President's rule. I only hope the judiciary will not play their activism in case such an arrangement is challenged in the court.

The Union Government can think of amending the Representation of Peoples Act to deal with such situations, as the era of coalition politics is there to stay in the country. I sincerely hope all political parties will come together and think rationally on the among suggestion and try to avoid a similar situation in other places in the country in the larger interests of the country.