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Maharashtra in 2016: Protests, graft, conspiracy and birth of a new leader

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Kiran Tare
Kiran TareDec 26, 2016 | 13:18

Maharashtra in 2016: Protests, graft, conspiracy and birth of a new leader

Protests for reservation, growing feeling of insecurity among several communities, charges of corruption against key politicians and a politically stronger chief minister marked the social and political developments in Maharashtra in 2016.

The year began with gloom on the economy as the state was reeling under drought in the fourth consecutive year. The main challenge till the monsoon was to supply water to several lakh thirsty people.

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The situation was severe in several areas in Marathwada, north Maharashtra and western Maharashtra. Latur, the city known for its trade of pulses, became the face of drought-affected areas with people running from pillar to post to get potable water.

As the Manjra dam situated at Dhanegaon dried up for the first time since its construction in 1982, water supply to five lakh people in and around Latur was severely affected.

Good monsoon came as a solace four months later. The same dam stored 85 per cent water of its capacity, ending Latur's water worries for at least three years. The nearby Bindusara dam in Beed too received good rainfall, putting an end to the water scarcity.

While the state was recovering from the drought, two of its senior politicians came under the scanner of agencies for alleged corruption. NCP heavyweight Chhagan Bhujbal was sent to the Arthur Road Jail after the Enforcement Directorate booked him under Prevention of Money Laundering Act for amassing wealth disproportionate to his known income sources. His nephew Sameer, a former MP, too was arrested under the same charges.

Then revenue minister Eknath Khadse gave the opposition the ammunition it was looking for to target the Devendra Fadnavis government. Khadse's wife and son-in-law purchased a disputed industrial land in Pune for which he was supposed to decide the amount of compensation to its original owner in his capacity of revenue minister. As the opposition alleged quid pro quo in this case, Fadnavis convinced Khadse to step down.

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The Maratha morcha was the biggest talking point in the state this year. (Photo: India Today)

Two other colleagues of Fadnavis, food and civil supplies minister Girish Bapat and tribal development minister Vishnu Savra too faced ire for being negligent in their respective departments. Bapat was at the helm of criticism when prices of tur daal soared up to Rs 220 per kg. Bapat stood accused for not taking the shortage of pulses seriously and acting accordingly to contain the price rise. Consumer protection activist Shirish Deshpande alleged that the price rise was a scam worth Rs 4,000 crore. Fadnavis discarded the allegation.

Savra has come under fire after a number of cases of rape and molestation were reported in state-run schools for tribal children. His department's purchase of several items for tribal students is also under scrutiny for alleged irregularities.

The silent protests by the politically powerful Maratha community demanding reservation in education and government jobs as well as dilution of the stringent Atrocity Act was the biggest talking point in the state in 2016.

The protests not only highlighted the community's issues on the economic front but also brought its largely scattered members together. Community leaders found it difficult to answer the tough questions raised by the members on issues of economic stability, educational backwardness and opportunities in the government jobs. However, a virtual rift among community leaders at the end of the year puzzled members over their intentions and direction to the agitation.

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The OBCs, Dalits and Muslims too came on the street with their demands pertaining to social security and employment. The Dalits opposed dilution of Atrocity Act, the OBCs protested against the thought of accommodating Marathas in their quota in education and government jobs. The Muslims too demanded 5 per cent reservation.

The previous Prithviraj Chavan government had announced the quota for Muslims. The Bombay High Court had approved reservation for the community in education but had ruled that there won’t be reservation in government jobs on the basis of caste or religion.

Fadnavis faced turbulence over the quota issue as well as the deteriorating law and order situation almost throughout the year. At one point, his chair too was not safe as BJP president Amit Shah mulled replacing him. However, he has managed to secure his position by leading the party to a magnificent victory in the municipal council polls. Fadnavis was the sole BJP face in this campaign. So he obviously got credit for the victory.

Fadnavis' opponents in the party are marginalised. His acceptance in the state is growing. He is rapidly emerging as a master strategist.

The year 2016 has given Maharashtra another dependable leader.

Last updated: December 26, 2016 | 13:18
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