Battle for credit in a crisis

The Pahalgam attack served as a litmus test for the Mahayuti alliance, with one of its leaders coming across as a publicity seeker and another being viewed as calm in the face of a storm

In politics, perception often matters more than having an actual plan. Immediately after the terror attack in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, the state government launched Mission Kashmir to bring stranded Maharashtra tourists back from the terror-stricken Pahalgam hill station.

The operation that started as a compassionate move by the custodian of the state, in the end, gave the impression of a ‘battle for credit’ among the Mahayuti alliance partners, the Bharatiya Janata Party, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party. The mission, which started as a political deuce for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, in the end, turned into advantage Deva Bhau, as Fadnavis is fondly called by many. 

With several visitors stuck in Srinagar in the wake of the terror attack, the Maharashtra government swung into action to bring families back home.

Fadnavis deputed his most trusted man–BJP leader and colleague in the cabinet–State Minister for Disaster Management Girish Mahajan–to personally travel to Srinagar. Mahajan briefed the CM about the casualties and put Fadnavis in touch with survivors via video call.

Besides deputing Mahajan, the CM ensured smooth coordination in Mumbai and Pune, where flights with the mortal remains of the victims landed. Fadnavis tasked BJP minister Ashish Shelar and MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha with being present at Mumbai airport, and another party minister, Madhuri Misal, was asked to be present at the Pune airport.

Even NCP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar jumped on the bandwagon and dialled J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, urging the latter to ensure proper security arrangements for stranded tourists and their safe return to Maharashtra. 

Many in the Shinde camp started sensing this as an attempt by the BJP to take credit for the rescue operation. Not to be left behind, Shinde immediately flew to Srinagar. As soon as he reached, the deputy chief minister started meeting affected tourists and even visited hospitals to check in on victims. Citizens began praising his prompt action and bold leadership qualities.

However, Mahajan and Shinde travelling separately to Srinagar was a point of discussion in political corridors and gave the Opposition an opportunity to take potshots at the ruling government. Since the formation of the BJP-led Mahayuti government, the Opposition has been talking about rifts in the ruling alliance. The rescue operation was another reason to do the same.

However, leaders from the ruling alliance, including Shinde, refuted the charges and slammed the Opposition for its ‘insensitivity’—turning this into a political slugfest, instead of staying united during the crisis.  

Within 48 hours of the clarification, the lack of coordination between the ruling alliance partners came to the fore again. This time, between Fadnavis and Shinde. On two occasions, the differences were clearly visible—when the CM’s office released news that 500 tourists had returned, while Shinde’s office put out a statement that 520 people had been brought back. Then, on Sunday, April 27, Shinde, while addressing a public gathering, mentioned that 107 Pakistani nationals who had entered the state were untraceable. Fadnavis quickly clarified that all Pakistani nationals had been identified and would be sent back soon, no Pakistani was missing and that Shinde’s statement was completely baseless.

Shinde had been hitting all the right notes and was seen as Hero No 1 owing to his decision to personally visit the terror-hit region. His party leaders and workers had started projecting their leader’s visit and rescue operation as the Shiv Sena’s initiative, while in actuality, the cost for bringing back stranded tourists to Maharashtra was said to have been borne by the state government. Shinde’s compassionate actions soon started being perceived as a hunger for publicity. His party’s rank and file also started putting up posters and hoardings that projected Shinde as the sole saviour. This messaging blitz irked citizens who started questioning whether the special aircraft arrangements were made by Shinde or the state government. Some asked if this was a ‘Sarkari’ operation, why take credit for something funded by taxpayers’ money. 

On the other hand, Fadnavis is said to have taken a different route—staying behind in Mumbai and overseeing the operation to bring back stranded tourists safely. 

Taking a cue from the chief minister’s calm and composed stance while handling the situation, the BJP leadership and party workers, too, exhibited similar qualities and refrained from making big claims and putting up political banners.

Every time Fadnavis met mediapersons, he maintained that the government was in contact with those stranded in Srinagar and would ensure that everyone got home safe. 

But as Mission Kashmir ended, what started as teamwork slowly split into two separate narratives, with netizens starting to assess the rescue operations. Conversation on the rescue operation has slowly turned into assessment of leadership qualities—which leader acted with maturity and exhibited skills during a crisis.  

Shinde, who was in the pilot’s seat when rescue operations commenced, had to make a turbulent landing at the end—thanks to his party leaders and publicity campaign. 

On the other hand, the political maturity exhibited by the BJP leadership and the CM, not only struck the right chord, but also gave Fadnavis the upper hand in this game of political one-upmanship.

Sanjeev Shivadekar is political editor, mid-day. He tweets @SanjeevScribe

Send your feedback to mailbag@mid-day.com

The views expressed in this column are the individual’s and don’t represent those of the paper

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!