Muslim-Dalit coalition in Aurangabad halts Modi-wave as AIMIM candidate wins at Shiv Sena forte
Aurangabad: Amidst the ‘Tsunamo’ that has swept the Lok Sabha Elections for the BJP across the country, the results at one of the seats in Maharashtra is widely being discussed in the political circles. The seat being talked about is Aurangabad constituency, considered as a stronghold seat of Shiv Sena.
Four time winner and sitting MP of Shiv Sena from the constituency Chandrakant Khaire faced defeat in the constituency when Muslims and Dalit votes led by Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM and Prakash Ambedkar’s Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) came together as an alliance and won the election.
AIMIM candidate backed by VBA, Imtiaz Jaleel Syed bagged 3,89,042 votes against Chandrakant Khaire who got 3,84,550 votes. Both the candidates left the Congress candidate Zambad Manakchand reeling behind with only 91,789 votes.
Out of 48 constituencies of Maharashtra, most of them were swept away by the Modi wave which gave the BJP 23 seats, its coalition partner Shiv Sena 18 seats with Aurangabad’s Muslim-Dalit strong alliance keeping the Modi wave at bay.
Although their partnered candidate won on only one seat in the state, the alliance of AIMIM and VBA proved to be a game changer and dented Congress-NCP coalition’s vote share in key constituencies including Nanded where the Congress’ State President Ashok Chavan was defeated.
(Prakash Ambedkar)
In most the constituencies AIMIM-VBA alliance secured more votes than the margin of losing of the Congress party, sending regressive wave in the party for not forming pre-election alliance with them.
“The Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi had evolved its own strategy and agenda that was centred around the oppressed and backward segments of the community. Our fight was against both the BJP-Shiv Sena and the Congress-NCP. I was from the beginning open for alliance with Congress-NCP. They have to explain why it failed.” VBA Chief Prakash Ambedkar said after the Election results.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
