INDIA
While Shinde’s decision has drawn criticism, it is also being seen as an attempt to cut into the base of the Thackeray-led Sena ahead of civic polls.
With the crucial elections to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the country's richest civic body, nearing, the political parties have accelerated their bids to reach out to voters in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Kalyan-Dombivli, and other civic poll-bound cities across the State.
The importance of ‘Dahi Handi’ politics can be evidenced from the fact that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde that the event will be recognised as an adventure sport. Shinde-led Sena and its alliance partner BJP are organising ‘Dahi Handi’ events across districts through their elected representatives and local leaders.
While Shinde’s decision has drawn criticism, it is also being seen as an attempt to cut into the base of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena ahead of Mumbai civic polls.
With Dahi Handi being recognised as a sport, its participants, popularly called `Govindas', will become eligible for a quota in government jobs. Activists and political commentators ridiculed the move on Friday while political parties were muted in their opposition.
But the decision puts the Thackeray faction of the Sena in a quandary, because the Govinda troupes, made up predominantly of lower-middle class Marathi-speaking youngsters, come from its traditional support base.
Shinde, who started his political career as an ordinary Shiv Sena worker in neighbouring Thane and rose through the ranks, rebelled against Thackeray in June this year and brought down the Thackeray-led Sena-NCP-Congress government in Maharashtra. Shinde then became chief minister with the support of rebel Sena MLAs and the BJP.
The coming elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the country's richest civic body, will be a do-or-die affair for the Uddhav-led faction. The Sena has been in power in the BMC for several years.
Dahi Handi, during which teams of participants form human pyramids and break earthen pots containing curd or buttermilk hung high above the ground, is an important part of the Krishna Janmashtami festival in Maharashtra.
But in big cities, especially in Mumbai and Thane, Dahi Handi events have also attracted politicians as a way of distributing patronage at the local level.
"Govindas are an asset for a political party to establish its influence in a locality. Economically it is not very expensive for any politician or party to fund them. They came in handy at the time of election. For a long time, the Shiv Sena has retained their loyalty and thus maintained its dominance in street politics," said a political analyst.
In rural Maharashtra, politicians try to control the networks of cooperative sugar mills, credit societies, banks and educational institutes as a way to consolidate their power base.
"Similarly a vast network of Govinda troupes and Ganesh mandals has helped Shiv Sena to remain dominant in Mumbai and Thane. Such control also has a nuisance value and the Sena has utilised it," the analyst said.
Hence, chief minister Shinde's attempt to woo Govinda troupes attached to the Sena pose a threat for the Uddhav faction.
"They are getting medical (insurance) protection and the carrot of government jobs through sports quota is also being dangled before them," noted a Sena MLA from Mumbai who is loyal to Uddhav Thackeray, adding that this will make an impact during the BMC elections.
Sena leader Sunil Prabhu, who belongs to the Thackeray faction, praised Shinde's decision in the Assembly but also said that it was "our demand for a long time that Govinda troupes be given medical protection and Dahi Handi be recognised as a sports activity."
A former spokesperson of the Maharashtra unit of the BJP said the saffron party always had a strong base in the middle and upper middle classes, but not in the lower middle class.
"The lower income group, made up of people who often do not own a house in Mumbai, do small jobs and have limited education, has been largely tapped by Shiv Sena. Shinde, who knows the Sena inside out, switching sides would turn out to be a major game- changer for the BJP," he said.
"The Dahi handi announcement was also important because for the first time in BMC elections, it will be the BJP versus everyone else. The party has plans to dethrone (Thackeray-led) Sena. In such a situation, Shinde decided to give Dahi Handi recognition as a sport, offer free medical support and government jobs through sports quota to the Govindas. It will definitely lead many Govinda troupes in Mumbai which have been traditionally with the Sena to cross over," he added.
But the announcement has also irked those taking the exams of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission for government jobs.
Asked about this sentiment, the BJP leader said it was true that the decision did not go down well with MPSC aspirants.
"But this is not a constituency that we should be worried about. There are already very few government jobs available and the selection process is tough.
It is not as if the Govindas will get a red carpet treatment. Even in sports quota, there will be huge competition," he said.
BCCI gives massive update on KL Rahul's availability for 1st Test vs Australia in Perth
Baba Siddique murder: Mumbai crime branch makes 25th arrest of Gujarati man from...
IPL 2025 auction: Full list of players with Rs 2 crore base price
India break Pakistan's massive T20I world record, become first team in world to...
This is the biggest mall in Pakistan, built with Rs 315 crore, it is owned by...
Anil Ambani's Reliance Group sets up new centre, to play a key role in...
BIG win for Mukesh Ambani, Dubai-based siblings to transfer Jiohotstar.com domain to Reliance for...
India's largest govt bank loses Rs 34984 crore in 4 days due to...
Donald Trump, Elon Musk's relationship could break over THIS country, it is...
Why do you experience heartburn, diarrhoea during periods? Here's how to manage it
Vande Bharat passenger finds insects in meal, Railways takes action, imposes fine of Rs...
Who is Mojtaba Khamenei? Ali Khamenei's son elected as Iran's next leader
Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala’s wedding card LEAKED online: couple to tie the knot on…
IIM Indore student gives tour of hostel room to her nani, watch heartwarming video
'Your input is...': Nirmala Sitharaman’s response to X user requesting 'relief' for middle class
Caught on camera: Horse kicks woman off scooty on busy road, watch viral video
Here's how you can travel with your dog on Indian Railways: Check step-by-step guidelines
BJP forms 12-member manifesto committee for upcoming Delhi assembly polls
Lyricist Jaani reveals his real name for the first time, it is...
Gold is priced cheaper in India than UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Singapore, reason is...
Madhya Pradesh: Gwalior vendor attacked with super glue, his eyes and lips sealed; probe underway
Delhi Minister Kailash Gahlot resigns from AAP: 'Embarrassing and awkward controversies like...'
Manoj Bajpayee was mistaken for having liquor before shooting, then this happened
Viral video shows woman in saree dancing alongside moving car, leaves netizens awestruck, watch here
From F-35s to Fairways: Will Trump's second term be defined by arms deals and Arabian villas?
Kanguva review: Suriya, Disha Patani, Bobby Deol's film is no Baahubali
Anil Agarwal reveals next BIG plan of Vedanta, set to increase production in...
Elon Musk announces future of ultra-fast travel, claims US to India trip will just take...
Adnan Sami went from 220 kg to 75 kg in just 16 months by leaving THESE 4 things
'We ran out of missiles': US fighter pilots recall countering Iranian attack on Israel
Shillong Teer Result TODAY November 17, 2024: Check lucky winning numbers
DNA Explainer: Why are millions switching from Elon Musk's X to Jack Dorsey's Bluesky?
12-yr-old boy illustrates Bhagavad Gita verses with 84,426 pics, creates record
Manipur violence: Protesters attack residence of CM, 2 ministers, 3 MLAs; curfew imposed
Delhi pollution: Toxic smog chokes Delhi-NCR; AQI remains in 'severe' category, Anand Vihar at 458
Madhuri Dixit breaks her silence on rivalry with Sridevi in 90s: ‘We didn’t really…’
Mukesh Ambani, Isha Ambani's BIG move, they're closing Reliance led Centro because...
Meet woman, engineer who cracked CAT with 99% marks later cleared UPSC with AIR 15, she is...
Viral video: Little girl wins heart with adorable dance to Shraddha Kapoor’s 'Aayi Nai' song, watch
Viral video: Girl’s breathtaking dance to Aishwarya Rai's 'Barso Re' song earns praise, watch
Here's how much Jake Paul earned from his win against Mike Tyson
This bird has one of the largest eyes in world, even bigger than its brain, they measure…
Gautam Adani's company announces another 13% reduction in gas supply from GAIL, could impact...
Ajay Devgn makes big announcement, will direct Akshay Kumar in fifth directorial
IPL legend overlooked by franchises, excluded from shortlist for mega-auction
Bengaluru: Father slams 14-year-old son against wall, kills him due to...
Anupamaa crew member dies due to electrocution, safety on sets questioned
Skoda Slavia, Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun, Virtus to be recalled in India due to…
Meet Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 13-year-old batting prodigy to watch out for in IPL 2025 mega auction
Bigg Boss 18 wild card contestant Edin Rose: Know everything about her
Govinda deals with health scare, leaves election campaign due to...
Who is Shivon Zili ? Mother of world's richest man's 'secret twins', her connection with India is...
Good News for Delhi-NCR residents as RRTS corridor likely to commence operations from...
Didn't get ticket for Coldplay? Here's what you can do instead
AIIMS INICET January 2025: Result declared, follow these steps to check your scores
6G's Growing Concern: Terahertz Waves May Impact Male Reproductive Health
Is RBI planning to release Rs 7 coin to honour MS Dhoni? Truth is...
Manipur: Curfew reimposed in Imphal amid prevailing law and order situation
This is Nita Ambani, Alia Bhatt's hairstylist hack for extra shine in hair