Shiv Sena attacks Waghmare for defending Kasab

Maharashtra Government gave the onerous task of defending Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist of the 26/11 attacks, to Anjali Waghmare. Like the previous two lawyers who were given this responsibility, her house was also attacked by Shiv Sainiks last night… Knowing the past incidents, it is surprising that she was not provided with police protection in the first place!

3M wants to know if Shiv Sainiks were miffed with the fact that her surname is Waghmare – literally “Tiger Slayer”?

कौसल्येचा राम Kausalyecha Ram

Ram Navmi will be celebrated on 3rd April 2009

Ticketless Poonam gravitates towards MNS

Pramod Mahajan sniggered at Congress all his life for encouraging dynastic rule… and now his daughter Poonam Mahajan-Rao is angry that she has been denied the ticket by BJP after projecting her as a youth leader in a banner campaign across Mumbai 6 months ago!

When she paid a visit to Raj Thackeray to “wish him” on Gudi Padwa, the BJP machinery was caught on the back foot… While MNS has shown the will to field her from any constituency she chooses, BJP is evaluating her to take on Priya Dutt… But “purely on merit”!

3M would like to know the definition of “Merit” in the BJP dictionary…

Marathi @ Prithvi

Sanjana Kapoor is keeping the theatre tradition of the family flying high with her sustained effort at Prithvi Theatre. This venue will host plays by Mahesh Elkunchwar and Satish Alekar in the days to come.

3M has observed that over the last few years she has been making a sustained effort to encourage Marathi Nataks at Prithvi… sadly Marathi Manoos is not responding! How come the same nataks draw huge crowds as Dinanath Natyagruha just 2Kms away? Probably Marathi Manoos looks upon Prithvi as an ‘elite venue’ beyond his reach…

Chirayu Parties back in vogue

In the 1990s, on the eve of Marathi New Year (Gudi Pava), Marathi Film Industry used to celebrate ‘Chirayu’ Parties… Chirayu, which literally means ‘Long Life’, is used as a Marathi equivalent of ‘cheers’ in these paties… With a Resurgent Marathi Film Industry, these events are back in vogue!

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Image of Mugdha Godse courtesy DNA

गुढीपाडव्याच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा (Once More)

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गुढीपाडव्याच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा!!!

Click on the image for reading it

Shivaji’s descendants swap parties in quest for power

Brand Shivaji is so powerful that every party in Maharashtra tries to get a rub off from it in the election time… now his descendants are playing KhoKho between Congress and NCP to ensure that they get the ticket for the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections.

3M is pained that Brand Shivaji is used in letter and not in spirit!

Muslim + Bhaiyya > Marathi Manoos

A study conducted by Majlis-e-Shoora, a Muslim NGO, clearly shows that Muslims and North Indians are a force to reckon with in Mumbai Elections. In ‘Mumbai North Central’ and ‘Mumbai North West’ constituencies, the sum of Muslim and North Indian Votes is more than Marathi votes… This reaffirms the worst fears of Marathi Manoos that he is loosing his grip over the city.

3M is sure that this report will give enough fodder for election propaganda on both sides!

बघ ‘राज साहेबांची’ आठवण येते का?

3M received this poem on a chain email. It shows the frustration and problems (some real... some imaginary) faced by Marathi Manoos in Mumbai due to unabated migration. Clearly shows why people are drifting towards MNS...

आज ओफीसातून जरा लवकर निघ
७.१२ च्या लोकल ची मुद्दामहून विंडो सीट पकड.
घरी जायची ओढ असेल,पण तू घाई करू नकोस.
वी.टी ते ठाणे जरा ट्रॅक च्या बाजूची बकाल झोपडपट्टी बघ,
बघ ‘राज साहेबांची’ आठवण येते का?

दरम्यान जरा डब्यातले संवाद ऐक,
सगळे हिंदीतून बोलत असतील.
तुझे मित्र,सगे, आप्त् पण.त्याला आक्षेप घे.
तुझ्या समोर बसलेला उर्मट भैय्या तुझी खिल्ली उडवेल
आणि सारा डब्बा तुझ्यावर फिदी फिदी हसेल.
तेव्हा तुझ्या हाताच्या आवळलेल्या मुठी कडे बघ
बघ ‘राजसाहेबांची’ आठवण येते का?

ठाणे स्टेशन ला उतर,
थोडा १ नंबर वरुन बाहेर येरस्त्याच्या कडेला,
फूटपाथ वर अनेक सी.डी चे स्टॉल दिसतीलसाहजिकच ते भैय्यांचे असतील.
त्यातल्या त्यात जरा व्यवस्थित दिसणार्‍या भैय्या कडे जा,
हळू आवाजात त्याला विचार ब्लू प्रिंट आहे का?
तो बिनधास्तपणे मोठ्याने बोलेल,“साब अंग्रेजी दु के देसी?
मराठी वाली लाने का भी सोच रहे है”
तुझ्या तोंडात शिवी येईल, पण बाहेर पडणार नाही.
बाहेर पडायची असेल तर…………………….
बघ राज साहेबांची आठवण येते का?

तिथे तुला एक तरुण दिसेल,
फुटपाठवरच्या फेरीवल्याना न्याहाळताना.
त्याच्या जवळ जा, त्याला विचार,”मित्रा काय झाल?”हो!
हो तो मराठीत बोलेल,“काल शर्ट विकत घेतला ब्रॅण्डेड म्हणून पण फटका निघाला.”
फेरीवाल्याला शोधायचा प्रयत्न करू नकोस.
त्याला घरी जायला सांग,
तू पण निघ.
पण निघण्या आधी त्या तुटपुंजया पगार घेणार्‍या मराठी तरुणाच्याडोळ्यात बघायला विसरू नकोसबघ,
बघ ‘राजसाहेबांची’ आठवण येते का?

सुन्न डोक्याने घरी जा, उशीर झाला म्हणून बायको आधीच चिंतेत असेल.
फ्रेश हो, जेवण कर. टी.वी बघायची ईछा नसेलच.
बायकोला जरा जवळ घे,तिची चौकशी कर.
प्रॉब्लेम्स ती स्वतःच सांगेल.
आता ती तुझ्या केसात हळूवार बोट फिरवेलम्हणेल,
येत्या खर्चाला १००० रुपये जास्त देशील का?
दूध वाला भैय्या, भाजी वाला भैय्या, इस्त्रि वाला भैय्या,वॉचमन भैय्या, लिफ्ट वाला भैय्या,
झालच तर मूलाना शाळेत सोडणारा रिक्षा वाला भैय्यायानी जरा पैसे वाढवलेत.
ती तुझी परिस्तिथि समजेलताबडतोब ती चेहरा फिरवून निघून जाईल.
तिच्या पाठमोरया आकृती कडे बघ,म्हण “हो १००० काय २००० देतो”
पण तिला सांगू नकोस तुझ प्रमोशन आहे ते.
तिच्या त्या भैय्या खर्चा कडे बघ.
बघ ‘राजसाहेबांची’ आठवण येते का?

आज तू खुश असशिल आज तुझ प्रमोशन असेल.
किती वाढणार याची आकडेमोडकाळ झोपेतच झाली असेल.
ठरल्या प्रमाणे सर्व काही होईल,एक एक करता तुझा नंबर येईल.
बॉस तुला लेटर देईल ,ते नीट बघ!
प्रमोशन चे नाही ‘टर्मिनेशन’ चे असेल ते.
त्याला काही विचारू नकोस,उलट तोच सांगेल.
“Mr. पाटील आता आम्हाला Mr. सिंह भेटलाय,तुमच्या पेक्षा जास्त वेळ थांबणारा,
आणि तो ही अर्ध्या पगारात.मराठी येत नाही म्हणून काय झाल? हिंदी ‘न चुका’ करता येत”
काही बोलू नकोस,तुझ्या समोर बॉस चा टेबल असेल.
त्याच्या वर एक पपेरवेट ठेवला असेल.त्याच्या कडे निरखून बघ,
बघ ‘राजसाहेबांची’ आठवण येते का?

No wonder RT's Thane rally got a huge turnout... 27th @ Shivaji Park will be a similar show... but will it translate into votes... The secret lies in tapping the 'UP-Biharisation' fears of the non-Hindi non-Marathi residents of Mumbai... something that has yet not dawned on MNS!

‘Anti-Patya Professional Bihari’ to contest from Mumbai North

Rajendra Thacker, the guy who filed a PIL to ‘protect’ Mumbai shopkeepers from the Marathi Patya controversy, will now contest Lok Sabha Elections from Mumbai North… representing ‘Professionals Party of India’!

‘Mutiny’ by Marathi Naiks

As politicos try to bag Marathi votes outside Maharashtra, the ‘Marathi Naik’ community in Kerala has threatened to boycott the Lok Sabha elections if their Schduled Tribe status is not restored…

3M Trivia – The ‘Marathi Naik’ community participated in the 1857 National Uprising/ Mutiny and were persecuted by the British after the incident… so they had to flee Maharashtra and settle in the hilly tracts of Karnataka and Kerala!

Politcos blow their own Tutatris!

In the medieval times, the Maratha armies would carry a trumpeter who would signal the start of the war by blowing his Tutari… now all the Marathi politicos who believe that they have inherited the legacy of the Maratha Empire, employ Tutari artist to blow their trumpets to kick off elections rallies. This creates windfall gains for the last family of Tutari artist in Mumbai… but sadly everyone forgets them for the next 5 years…

3M feels voters are treated similarly!

सुंदरा मना मधे बसली Sundara mana madhe basali

Marathi Manoos drives Tata Nano

To translate Ratan Tata’s vision of a ‘1 Lac car’ into a reality is no mean feat and the man behind the Nano Project happens to be a Marathi Manoos. As Tata Motors, prepares to launch the people’s car let’s hear what Girish Wagh has to say about his baby!

3M salutes the acheivement of this simpleton!

Mumbaikar Fritzl

As the world was shocked to see Josef Fritzl’s incestuous horror story, Mumbai gets its own version... Kishore Chauhan!

3M requests all the readers of this blog to report child abuse... Turning a blind eye is as good as encouraging this heinous crime!

Jibhli – the tongue lashes out!

After Vagina Monologues in Marathi, another play on ‘The Feminine’ hits Mumbai… Pune based Saee Haldule brings her one-woman performance, JIBHLI (The Tongue) to Mumbai audiences.

Dukey Bana = Raj Thackeray

There were rumours that Anurag Kashyap has styled Dukey Bana, the antagonist in Gulal along the lines of Raj Thackeray… Now he confirms it!

Thackeray loves Gandhi

After Varun Gandhi’s vitriolic diatribe, BJP tries to maintain a distance but Bal Thackeray finally falls in love with somebody from the Gandhi Parivar!

But much to Thackeray’s chagrin, Varun denies that he made those statements…

Wooing Marathi Manoos outside Maharashtra

As parties try to woo Marathi Manoos outside Maharashtra, some get it right… some fall flat on their face!

Both the National parties are planning to field Marathi Manoos in Vadodara… Congress’s Satyajit Gaekwad has the “correct surname” to build on the legacy of Maharaja Sayaji Gaekwad… while BJP has decided to field Balkrishna Shukla, a RSS nominee with a clean image.

But efforts of the BJP MP and MLA to woo Marathi votes in Karnataka has drawn Karnataka Rakshana Vedike’s ire!

मी शिवाजीराजे भोसले बोलतोय - Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy

“Mumbai is located in Maharashtra… but very little of Maharashtra is left in Mumbai” claims Satosh Manjrekar (Mahesh Manjrekar's brother) in his new Marathi Movie - Mi Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy.

The plot revolves around Dinkar Maruti Bhosale… a 4M – Middle-aged Middle-class Marathi Manoos… who keeps on grumbling about being sidelined in Mumbai for being Marathi! So he curses his 500 generations for his bad luck – the fact that he was born a Marathi… Shivaji’s sprit hears this and ‘marches’ into Mumbai to tell Marathi Manoos that he himself is responsible for the current state of affairs… ‘You have to command respect… not demand it!’

Sachin Khedekar looks perfect in the role of 4M… but Mahesh Manjrekar looks too tired and puffy to play Shivaji! 3M is amused that the movie is being released on 3rd April... just in time for LS elections… Art or Propaganda? Certainly looks less jingoistic than ‘Mumbai Aamchich’! Also Manjrekar is leaving no stone unturned to promote this movie... Google ads has been effectively used to ensure that the banner pops on all news related to 'Marathi', 'Maharashtra', 'Mumbai', 'Thackeray' etc... probably a first for any Marathi Movie!

TRAILER OF THE MOVIE

Psst... Psst... the music was launched by RajT last week... Hmm...

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योनी स्वगतं – Finally ‘Vagina Monologues’ in Marathi

Mahabanoo Mody-Kotwal is credited to have popularized the iconic controversial play ‘Vagina Monologues’ in India. Now Vandana Khare is launching a Marathi version of the same called ‘Yoni Swagata’.

3M wishes Vandana all the best for her efforts… and may her tribes increase! Wonder how the self appointed guardians of 'Marathi Culture' are going to react to this initiative...

फडकतो भगवा झेंडा गगनात Phadakato Bhagva Jhenda Gaganat

Lijjat turns 50 today

Lijjat, the iconic papad brand that we grew up with, is completing 50 years today! What started as a women’s self help group in a small corner of Chira Bazar in Mumbai has snowballed into a Rs. 500 Cr enterprise with 42000 ‘sisters’.

3M salutes Jaswantiben Popat, the only surviving person from the founding team for the vision and courage to do the impossible!

Migration is good for you!

Raj Thackeray might strongly disagree… but a World Bank Report says that large scale migration from the cow belt to Mumbai is actually good for the city! The real culprit is the poor land regulation policy… not migration.

3M is wondering if this report was scripted by Lalu Yadav or Amar Singh? Why can’t Lucknow, Kanpur and Patna be developed as counter magnets to ‘localise migration’ from rural areas in UP and Bihar? Hasn’t migration from southern states reduced substantially after Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore were developed?

BTW 3M totally agrees that Mumbai has archaic land regulation policies… and these have actually pushed the Marathi Manoos out of the city!

Pramod Mahajan wanted to break the BJP-SS alliance

Mahesh Vijapurkar makes a startling revelation that Pramod Mahajan had planned to break the BJP-Sena Yuti for the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections!

Maratha Legacy to be sold for $20 Mn

The famous Pearl Carpet of Baroda is up for sale in Bahrain and is expected to fetch Rs. 100 Crs. This makes it the most expensive carpet in the world!

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3M Trivia – It was commissioned in 1860s by Maharaja Khanderao Gaikwad of Baroda for the tomb of Prophet Mohammed at Medina but did not gift it after his courtiers showed their displeasure!

King Pawar still gets his privy purse!

After Independence, Vallabhbhai Patel convinced 500+ princely states in India to merger with the Indian union in return for the “Privy Purse”. In 1971, Indira Gandhi abolished the system and stripped Indian Royalty of their titles to 'strengthen socialism' in India.

But royalty is still officially recognized on the borders of Gujarat and Maharashtra – in a district called “The Dangs”. 5 Dangi kings (with most having the surname Pawar) still 'rule the Dangs' for a day on Holi. The day is marked by an event called Dangs Darbar where all the Dangi nobles & tribals pay their tributes to their kings. Government still pays a privy purse of about Rs. 50000/- to each of these kings!

Muslims are unhappy with Vilasrao

Former Maharashtra CM, Vilasrao Deshmukh had to face the ire of representatives of the Muslim community at a function held at Islam Gymkhana in Mumbai… reasons for disgruntlement included delay in forming ‘minority department’ to welfare schemes.

3M is amused to know that Vilasrao plans to contest Lok Sabha elections from Aurangabad… where the percentage of Muslim votes is one of the highest in Maharashtra!

MNS celebrates ‘Bhojpuri’ Holi

3M Quiz

Bhojpuri Film Personalities were invited for the Holi bash organized by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena in Powai… what was the motive?

1. MNS has a change in heart over the ‘migrant issue’
2. They wanted to make bhojpuri actors to dance to ‘Jai Maharashtra’ tune
3. MNS ‘Anti-Bhaiyya’ campaign is a farce
4. All is fair in love, war and politics

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Marathi Film in Britain

After the Slumdog euphoria, Mahesh Majrekar is making a film which will be entirely shot in Britain. The story is about a village bumpkin from Mahrashtra who lands in Bolton in Northwest England… which houses a sizeable population of Marathi speakers.

3M is amused that this movie is produced by Kotechas, a non-Marathi couple staying in Bolton!

Have a Safe Holi!

Medha Patkar tells ‘Slumdogs’ to slam politicos

Medha Patkar, the firebrand activist was in Mumbai to advice slum dwellers that they should not vote for parties which have used Slum Rehabilitation Programs to help the builder lobby

3M would like to know from Medhatai as to who should they vote for? The only major force in Maharashtra that has not 'tasted power' is MNS... but you have slammed them too!

सख्या रे घायाळ मी हरिणी Sakhya re ghayal mi harini

Marathi Gift for Shakespeare Memorial

Mangesh Padgaonkar recently visited the Shakespeare Memorial @ Stratford upon Avon. Marathi translations of 3 of the Bard’s works (The Tempest, Romeo & Juliet and Julius Ceasar) were presented by him to the memorial’s Director of Learning and will form part of its public collection.

3M Trivia – Only other Indian author to contribute to this memorial is Rabindranath Tagore.

‘Bin bhintiche ghar’ – a reality show with a twist

ETV Marathi is launching Bin Bhintiche Ghar (A home without walls), a new reality show which promises to be less fake! A family will be trapped in a house where “generation gap” will be explored by games devised by psychologists… Looking forward to a reality show without glamour!

Architects not keen on Shivaji Memorial

One of the grandest promises in the Congress-NCP Election Manifesto for the last assembly elections was to erect a memorial dedicated to Shivaji that is ‘taller than the Statue of Liberty’. The government slept on this initiative for 3 years and in the run up to this election has revived the proposal. According to the plan the memorial will be built in the sea off Marine Drive and will have a museum, amphitheatre etc.

Last year, they invited proposal from leading architects around the world for this memorial, with a few lac rupees as the first, second and third prize. The government was expecting 50 to 60 entries. Surprisingly, only three architects have come forward to participate in this ‘contest’… now all are assured of a prize even if they submit shoddy designs!

Mahindra stuck in Marathi Patya controversy

Anand Mahindra, the head honcho of Mahindra Group, was dragged to Bhoiwada Court for not putting up a Marathi Signboard on a certain premises in Mumbai… totally misplaced zeal of some municipal employee… or a pre-election stunt?

BSP woos Marathi Brahmins

After Arun Gawli, BSP declares that it will field 4 Brahmin candidates in Maharashtra for the forthcoming Lok Sabha Polls… She should understand that such ‘social engineering’ won't work here as Brahmins constitute a miniscule 2% of the population unlike UP!

3M remembers that not to long ago Mayawati’s slogan was -

“Tilak, Tarajoo aur Talwar… Inko maaro joote chaar!”

Marathi Manoos brings ‘fresh style’ to Bharatanatyam

Vaibhav Arekar has enthralled audiences in Chennai - the ‘Mecca of Bharatanatyam’ when he presented 'Narmada Hara Hara' in a ‘non-Chennai style’

Mandavli Zhali?

‘SS-BJP Yuti’ and ‘Congress-NCP Aghadi’ seem to be intact as we approach the elections… the former seem to be almost on track except to South Mumbai and Kalyan seats… while the later have agreed on 41 out of 48 seats.

3M thinks that all this looks too goody-goody to digest… is Pawar “Running with the Rabbits… and Hunting with the Hounds”? Girish Kuber too is of the same viewpoint!

Maharashtra grappling with Ghashiram Kotwals

Rohit Chandavarkar has made an interesting point about Ghasiram Kotwals (‘Marathi equivalent of Frankenstein’ for the uninitiated) haunting the Maharashtra Politics… But he has got some facts wrong -

• Marathas constitute 33% and not 50% of the Maharashtra population
• They do dominate politics and police forces but are weakly represented in judiciary and bureaucracy
• He refers OBCs as a single community… when 50 odd castes have the OBC tag

It should be noted that Supreme Court has restricted the total reservations at 50%... so Marathas will never get a separate quota… and OBC leader will not take a cut in their reservations… Once elections are over the issue will be referred to the judiciary where it will be kept in cold storage and will be revived in 2014 in time for the next elections!

Also 3M cannot believe that Vinayak Mete can organize such a large rally @ Shivaji Park without logistic and monetary support from NCP… This seems to be part of Pawar’s grand design to weaken the Congress!

BTW Chandavarkar has failed to mention the 3rd Kotwal… MNS

Bada Bhai… Chhota Bhai…

Narendra Modi made a very impressive bhashan at a rally in Thane last Sunday… He tomtomed about how Gujarat has whizzed past other states on the economic ladder!

Some interesting lines from his speech – “We were a part of Maharashtra (Read: We Gujaratis)… You are the elder brother… We are the younger brother… when we parted way, you had everything … We left the house without anything (Read: Mumbai)… and look where we are today… you have lagged behind because you decided to join hands with Congress!”

3M is amused that half a century after creation of Maharashtra, the Gujarati psyche is still troubled with the ‘Loss of Bombay’… Modisaheb, if you aspire to be the PM someday “We vs You” speeches are not going to help!

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Is Sonia giving in to Pawar’s arm-twisting?

During the NCP convention at Nashik, Sharad Pawar has demanded the sky from Congress… it would be impossible for Madam to meet all his demands… But the Maratha strongman is just looking for an excuse to tango with Sena.

Just when the local Congressmen were making noise about not giving into the blackmail, Rahulbaba makes an unscheduled visit to Pune to meet Pawar… Sonia seems to have realized that if NCP and SS were to join hand, Congress will be flushed out in the coming elections.

But Congresswallas would like the Janta to believe that Baba made a small detour to Pune before eating ‘Lagan nu Bhonu’ in Mumbai.

Marathi gobbling up smaller languages

Even as MNS and Shiv Sena rue that Hindi and English are gobbling up Marathi… Marathi itself is gobbling up smaller languages like Naiki and Kolami in Mahrashtra! BTW these are just 2 of the 196 languages that are on the verge of extiction in India.

Harishchandrachi Factory

On 15th March, Paresh Mokashi will be awarded the 18th Aarvindan Award for Best Debutant Director by Chalachitra Society for his movie ‘Harishchandrachi Factory’. The movie is based on the life and times of the father of Indian Film Industry – Dadasaheb Phalke.

3M Trivia – The first motion picture made in India was ‘Raja Harishchandra’ by Dadasaheb Phalke in 1913. Mokashi’s movie derives its name from this pioneering feat.

Maharashtra LS Elections in 3 Phases

Lok Sabha election dates have been declared and Maharashtra will go to polls in 3 phases:
16th April – Vidarbha & Eastern Marathwada
23rd April – Western Marthwada and Western Maharashtra
30th April – Mumbai and Konkan

And the results will be out on 16th May.

3M wonders which IPL will entertain India? Indian Premier league or Indian Political Leaders… wait and watch!

Arun Gawli to ride the elephant?

As BSP grows its tentacles beyond the cow belt, Arun Gawli decides to merge his party with this ‘Sarva Samaj’ party. With this new backing he plans to contest Lok Sabha elections in Mumbai.

3M wonders whether the fact that 'Daddy' is still in jail was one of the criteria for Mayawati selecting him.

दोन घडीचा डाव Don ghadhicha daav

T for Tendlya… T for Tussauds

Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai… now Sachin Tendulkar’s wax statue will grace Madame Tussauds in London… He is the first Indian Sportsman to join a galaxy of world celebrities…

3M Trivia – Is Tendlya the first Marathi Manoos to be honoured at MT? Yes & No… Don’t forget Salman is ‘half Marathi’!

MAHAPOL POWERLIST Mar 09 Edition

click on the image to see larger version

The complete list of 25 most powerful politicians is as follows -

1. Sharad Pawar (68) NCP +1
2. Bal Thackeray (82) SS -1
3. Ashok Chavan (50) INC 0
4. Gopinath Munde (59) BJP 0
5. Chhagan Bhujbal (60) NCP 0
6. Uddhav Thackeray (48) SS +1
7. Raj Thackeray (39) MNS -1
8. Vilasrao Deshmukh (63) INC 0
9. Ajitdada Pawar (49) NCP 0
10. Nitin Gadkari (60) BJP +2
11. R R Patil (52) NCP 0
12. Narayan Rane (56) INC -2
13. Praful Patel (53) NCP 0
14. Ramdas Athavale (55) RPI 0
15. Prakash Ambedkar (51) RPI 0
16. Vinay Kore (37) JSP 0
17. Murli Deora (71) INC 0
18. Gurudas Kamat (51) INC 0
19. Sushilkumar Shinde (66) INC 0
20. Balasaheb Vikhe-Patil (76) INC +2
21. Manohar Joshi (71) SS -1
22. Vijaysingh Mohite Patil (64) NCP -1
23. Vinod Tawde (45) BJP 0
24. Jayant Patil (46) NCP 0
25. N D Patil (78) PWP 0

Party Code

BJP – Bharatiya Janata Party

INC – Indian National Congress

JSS – Jana Surajya Shakti

MNS – Maharashtra Navanirman Sena

NCP – Nationalist Congress Party

PWP – Peasants & Workers Party (Shetkari Kamgar Paksha)

RPI – Republican Party of India (any faction)

SS – Shiv Sena

Movement on the MahaPol ladder –
0 : Zero indicates that there has been no change in the ranking over the previous month.
+X : Plus indicates improvement in ranking over last month and ‘x’ indicates how many ranks he/ she has moved upwards.
-X : Minus indicates degradation in ranking over last month and ‘x’ indicates how many ranks he/ she has moved downwards.

To understand the methodology used for the ranking click here.

The figure in bracket indicates the age of the politician.

Analysis

• In the last Lok Sabha Elections (2004), the Samajwadi Party (SP) ranked fifth in terms of votes polled while the NCP was at the 12th rank. As SP has now declared its support to Sharad Pawar as a candidate for the Prime Minister’s post, he has regained his premier position on the MahaPol ladder. Obviously, Balasaheb Thackeray is back at Rank 2.


• Uddhav Thackeray is proving to be a good crowd puller while Raj Thackeray has still not been able to organise his parties machinery to a required minimum level. So you see the cousins exchanging their ranks!


• Congress High command has entrusted the responsibility of Lok Sabha Elections in the state in Vilasrao Deshmukh’s hands… but even after his best efforts, he has not been able to induct his brother in the Maharashtra cabinet on both occasions – first when the new cabinet was declared and second when it was expanded. These two events with opposite polarities have ensured that his rank has not changed over the previous month.

• After his suspension was revoked, Narayan Rane was inducted in the cabinet… so his ranking should improve? On the contrary, he has been pushed out of the MahaPol Top 10 Hall of Fame because in the last one month he has totally lost his image as a prospective Chief Minister.


• Nitin Gadkari has not only effectively asserted his position in BJP but has also given a taste of his tremendous nuisance value to the ruling party. This has propelled him by two ranks and given him entry in the MahaPol Top 10 Hall of Fame.


• Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil has been inducted in the cabinet by putting aside the claim of former MPCC President Govindrao Adhik. This has ensured that former’s father Balasaheb Vikhe-Patil’s rank has been pushed up by two steps while Manohar Joshi and Vijaysingh Mohite-Patil had to ‘accommodate’ him by climbing down one step each.

MahaPol can be directly contacted on mahapol25@gmail.com