Disgruntled Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde’s decision to quit the Maha Vikas Aghadi government with around 50 MLAs, including 39 Shiv Sena MLAs, has drawn reminders of a similar coup in Maharashtra in 1978 under the leadership of NCP chief Sharad Pawar.
Pawar defeated the Vasantrao Patil government in 1978 to become the youngest Chief Minister of Maharashtra, with the support of the Janata Party, the state’s former incarnation of the BJP, and several other smaller parties.
The coup was the first of its kind in the political history of the state. The rebel group was led by Pawar, who was successful in destabilizing the Vasantdada Patil government – when two different Congress groups joined forces – and became the youngest chief minister. India At 38 years old.
How did the coup take place?
After the end of the Emergency in 1977, the Congress split into two factions: the Congress (I), led by Indira Gandhi, and the Congress (URS), led by then Karnataka Chief Minister D Devaraj Urs. However, after the 1978 Maharashtra Assembly elections, both the parties joined forces and formed the government under the leadership of Vasantdada Patil.
The Patil government was unstable as it had only a modest majority of four seats. The opposition moved a no-confidence motion. The then Industries Minister, Sharad Pawar, initially backed the government to help keep the proposal alive.
On 18 July 1978, Pawar went to the Governor and surprised everyone by giving a letter to the Governor about the formation of a new party of 38 MLAs. He also presented a letter of support to other parties regarding his election as the leader of the Legislature Party. The Governor then invited Pawar to take over as the Chief Minister. Pawar took the oath of office when the assembly was in session.
The coup contributed to Pawar’s image as a Maratha strongman.
Former rebel leader recalls chain of events
In a report in the Indian Express, 87-year-old Krishnarao Bhagade recalled the chain of events. He was a member of the rebel group at that time. Bhagade said that people like Pawar, Govindrao Adik and Prataprao Bhosale were at the forefront of the revolt during the 1978 revolt.
“Today the split in Shiv Sena seems to be on the issue of Hindutva. Also the rebel Shiv Sainiks are raising the issue of degrading treatment by the NCP…’ meaning,
According to the fugitive, the main reason the rebels left the government in 1978 was the “outrageous” treatment received by them. According to him, Congress Deputy Chief Minister Nashikrao Tirupude openly criticized Chief Minister Patil, Pawar and his mentor Yashwantrao Chavan and said that Tirupde was saying such things which did not sit well with Pawar and his close associates. The fugitive said Pawar was a minister of the Vasantdada Patil group.
Bhagade said in the report that dissatisfaction with the government had been going on for three to four months, and that discussions to form another group and cooperate with opposition parties such as the Janata Party, the Kisan and Shramik Party and the CPM lasted for that period.
Then, he said, on July 18, 1978, during the monsoon session of the Assembly, Pawar went to the governor and presented a letter to his 38 MLAs regarding the formation of a new group. He also presented a letter of support to other parties regarding his election as the leader of the Legislature Party. The Governor then invited Pawar to take over as the Chief Minister. Bhagade recalled that Pawar took the oath of office when the assembly was in session.
During that time, the fugitive claimed, Pawar did not contact him, but his close aides told him about the importance of forming a separate group and setting up a “our own” government. “I don’t remember Pawar or any other MLA having a meeting with me.” We were not addressed individually, but in groups. We kept in touch with close aides of Pawar.” Indian Express,
History goes back to the Phantom?
Shinde’s rebellion seems to be a page in Pawar’s playbook. Shinde was dissatisfied with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes the Shiv Sena, Congress and Sharad Pawar’s NCP.
He claimed that the NCP and Congress want to “finish” the Shiv Sena and demanded that Uddhav Thackeray leave the “unholy” alliance. With the support of the MLAs increasing, he eventually rose to the rank of Chief Minister.
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