Caste has been a defining element in Maharashtra's political landscape, influencing party formations, electoral outcomes, and governance structures. Understanding the intricate interplay between caste and politics in the state requires an exploration of its historical roots, demographic compositions, and the evolution of caste-based political alliances.
1. Historical Context of Caste in Maharashtra Politics
The foundations of caste dynamics in Maharashtra's politics were laid during the pre-independence era. Social reformers like Jyotirao Phule, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj spearheaded movements challenging caste-based discrimination and advocating for social justice. Their efforts not only aimed at uplifting marginalized communities but also sowed the seeds for political mobilization based on caste identities. Post-independence, these caste identities became instrumental in shaping the state's political parties. The Indian National Congress (INC) initially garnered support from the Maratha community, which constitutes a significant portion of the state's population. Over time, other parties like the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) emerged, each aligning with specific caste groups to consolidate their political base.
Caste-Based Political Parties & Their Evolution
1. Indian National Congress (INC): Dominance of the Maratha Community
Post-independence, the INC established a stronghold in Maharashtra by aligning closely with the Maratha community, which comprises approximately 31% of the state's population. This alliance was instrumental in the party's prolonged political dominance. Maratha leaders held significant sway within the party, with notable figures such as Yashwantrao Chavan, Vasantdada Patil, and Vilasrao Deshmukh ascending to prominent positions. The community's influence extended beyond politics into economic spheres, notably through control of cooperative institutions like sugar cooperatives, which further solidified their political and economic power.
Electoral Performance and Maratha Influence
● 1962 Election: In the first assembly elections post-state formation, the INC secured 215 out of 264 seats, capturing approximately 81% of the assembly seats. This overwhelming majority was largely attributed to the support from the Maratha community.
●** Subsequent Elections (1967 and 1972):** The INC maintained its dominance, winning 203 seats in 1967 and 222 seats in 1972. The continued backing of the Maratha community, coupled with the leadership of prominent Maratha figures, reinforced the party's stronghold in the state.
2. Shiv Sena: Championing Marathi Pride
Founded in 1966 by Bal Thackeray, Shiv Sena emerged to advocate for the rights and pride of the Marathi-speaking populace, emphasizing the "sons of the soil" ideology. Initially, the party drew support predominantly from the urban lower-middle and working-class Marathi communities in Mumbai. Over time, its influence expanded, and by the 1980s, Shiv Sena had gained control over the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. The party's leadership, originally from educated upper-caste groups, witnessed a shift with middle-level leaders from various castes, including Marathas, rising through the ranks. This evolution led to a broader caste representation within the party, reflecting the state's diverse demographic. By 2004, over 50% of Shiv Sena's Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) were from the Maratha community, leading scholars to describe the party as emerging as a "Maratha Party."
Electoral Performance of Shiv Sena
● 1990 Elections: Shiv Sena secured 52 out of 288 seats, with 24 MLAs (approximately 46%) belonging to the Maratha community. ● 2004 Elections: The party's representation of Maratha MLAs increased to 33, accounting for more than 50% of its total seats. **● 2019 Elections: **The undivided Shiv Sena, in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), won 28 seats in the Marathwada region, while the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) alliance secured 16 seats.
3. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP): Balancing Maratha and OBC Interests
Established in 1999 by Sharad Pawar, a prominent Maratha leader, the NCP sought to address the aspirations of the Maratha community while also appealing to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Dalits. This strategy aimed to create a more inclusive political platform. The party's formation led to a reconfiguration of Maharashtra's political alliances, challenging the INC's traditional dominance. The NCP's approach involved advocating for policies that catered to both Maratha interests and those of other marginalized communities, striving for a balanced representation in its leadership and candidate selection.
Electoral Performance of NCP
(1999–2009): In 1999, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) contested 223 seats and won 58, securing 22.6% of the total votes. In the 2004 elections, the party contested 124 seats and won 71, with an 18.75% vote share. By 2009, the NCP contested 113 seats, won 62, and received 16.37% of the total votes. 2014 Elections: NCP contested 278 seats and won 41, securing 17.24% of the total vote share. The party’s candidate selection largely favored the Maratha community, with limited representation for OBC and SC candidates, which may have restricted its ability to connect with a broader voter base. 2019 Elections: In the 2019 Maharashtra elections, the NCP contested 125 seats and won 54, with a vote share of 16.71%. Despite a slight decline in vote share, the party’s decision to field more OBC and SC candidates helped it secure more seats.
4. Republican Party of India (RPI): Voice of the Dalit Community
Rooted in the ideology of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the RPI was established to represent the Dalit community's interests in Maharashtra. The party aimed to address historical injustices and advocate for social and economic upliftment of Dalits. However, internal divisions and factionalism over the years have diluted its political influence. Despite these challenges, the RPI remains a symbol of Dalit assertion, often collaborating with major political parties to further its agenda and secure representation for Dalits in legislative bodies.
Electoral Performance of RPI
**(1978–1995): **In the 1978 assembly elections, the RPI contested 25 seats, winning 2 seats with a 1.06% vote share. However, by the 1985 elections, RPI contested 16 seats but failed to win any, with its vote share dropping to 0.52%. The 1990 and 1995 elections lack detailed seat and vote share data, reflecting the party's declining independent influence during this period. RPI’s struggle to maintain electoral relevance was compounded by internal splits, which fragmented the Dalit vote and weakened the party’s broader political impact. By the 2004 elections, RPI's influence continued to decline, with no substantial electoral success reported. Internal divisions and the fragmentation of Dalit votes weakened the party’s ability to win seats independently. In the 2009 elections, these internal fractures further diminished RPI’s prospects, as different factions struggled to unify under a common strategy. In 2014, the RPI, particularly the Athawale faction, aligned with larger parties like the BJP in hopes of gaining legislative presence. However, despite coalition politics, the party struggled to secure significant representation, relying on symbolic victories rather than meaningful seat counts.
5. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): Expanding Beyond Traditional Support Bases
Initially, the BJP's support in Maharashtra was concentrated among urban upper-caste communities, particularly Brahmins. Recognizing the need for a broader base, the party strategically expanded its appeal to include non-Maratha OBCs and, more recently, sections of the Maratha community. This inclusive approach has been reflected in the party's candidate selection and policy priorities, leading to significant electoral gains. In the 2014 and 2019 state elections, the BJP emerged as the largest party, indicating its successful penetration into diverse caste demographics. 1990 Elections: In the 1990 assembly election, the BJP contested 116 seats, winning 42 with a 13.44% vote share. The party primarily drew support from urban upper-caste voters, especially Brahmins, but struggled to make inroads among rural and Maratha communities. 1995 Elections: the BJP maintained its 116-seat contest but increased its tally to 65 seats, with a 17.98% vote share. The alliance with Shiv Sena helped the party expand its base, retaining Brahmin support while beginning to attract some OBC votes. (2004 -2009) Elections: The BJP contested 127 seats, winning 54 with a 16.73% vote share. Despite some losses, the party remained reliant on upper-caste urban voters but found it challenging to break through in rural areas due to the stronghold of the NCP and Congress. The 2009 elections saw the BJP contest 119 seats, winning 46 with a 14.02% vote share. While the party kept its core Brahmin base, it actively began courting non-Maratha OBCs, laying the groundwork for its future expansion. 2014 Elections: It marked a turning point, with the BJP contesting 260 seats and winning 122, capturing a 27.8% vote share. The party strategically fielded more OBC candidates while balancing upper-caste leadership, symbolized by Devendra Fadnavis's rise as a Brahmin chief minister. 2019 Elections: The BJP contested 164 seats, securing 105 with a 25.75% vote share. Despite a slight dip, the party retained strong OBC support, expanded its influence in semi-urban and rural areas, and strengthened outreach to the Maratha community through strategic alliances.
6. Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) VBA is a political party in Maharashtra, India, established in March 2019 under the leadership of Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The party aims to represent marginalized communities, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and religious minorities, addressing their socio-political concerns within the state's complex caste dynamics. In the 2019 Indian general elections, the VBA fielded candidates across Maharashtra, emphasizing inclusivity by selecting individuals from various underrepresented communities. 2019 Elections: In the 2019 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections, the VBA contested 288 seats but did not secure any seats, obtaining approximately 2.25% of the total votes.