Will fractured polity diminish anti-incumbency and help Congress in Maharashtra?

Will the fractured nature of the polity due to the unravelling of the two main political alliances and the subsequent multi-polar contests lead to the diminishing of the anti-incumbency mood?

A former Shiv Sena MP admitted that the wrangling between Shiv Sena and BJP and the subsequent split in the alliance had led to the anti-incumbency sense in the minds of the people. Sena sources admitted that the acrimony between the Shiv Sena and BJP after the split would translate into intense contests between the two at the hustings when the state votes on October 15.

The division in the core votes of the two parties could also affect their chances and work in favour of the Congress and the NCP. Incidentally, the Congress and NCP, who were in power in Maharashtra for 15 years, are also fighting independently.

The Mahayuti had put up a stellar performance in the Lok Sabha, sweeping 42 of Maharashtra's 48 seats due to anti-incumbency and Narendra Modi wave.

Surendra Jondhale, professor, department of civics and politics, University of Mumbai, admitted that the internecine fights between the Shiv Sena and BJP could dilute this anti-incumbency factor against the Congress-NCP. He claimed that the NCP could be marginalised in the polls as it had "a more tainted image than the Congress, which could get the benefit of doubt."

On Friday, an editorial in the Sena mouthpiece 'Saamna' blamed the BJP for the split in the Mahayuti and claimed that the allies wanted the rainbow coalition to stay united. "Moreover, this was the sentiment of Maharashtra's 11 crore people. The ones who trod on this sentiment must be called the enemies of the people of Maharashtra," it said, claiming that the Sena was the protector of Maharashtrian pride and interests.