Maharashtra reminds me of Vladimir Putin’s Prime Minister between 2008 to 2020. His name was Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev. How many people remember that Medvedev was the President of Russia between 2008 to 2012 and in this period, Vladimir Putin was his Prime Minister. Again in 2012, Putin became the President and Medvedev became the Prime Minister.

A similar arrangement has been made in Maharashtra. Devendra Fadnavis is Deputy Chief Minister and Eknath Shinde is the Chief Minister. The reason is rather obvious.

First, with this castling, Shinde can ask for nothing more. This is the end of the bargain. This also shows to Thakrey that the problem was his being in office and it was not about Fadnavis in the office of CM.

Secondly and more importantly, Shinde as Chief Minister, will attract the rest of the party workers like Magnet. He will go around visiting City after city, seeking support at the ground and then file a claim on the party i.e. Shiv Sena with the Election Commission. This is the jugular vein of the political capital of Thakrey.

Shinde has a big task ahead and Fadnavis will run the Government for him.

Surprisingly, Thakrey is literally sitting like ducks. With his serious health problems and arrogance disproportionate to his stature, he can’t match the street fight. Not beyond Mumbai in any way.

Today’s vote of confidence in the house is a mere formality. With the success in election of speaker with 167 votes in the house of 288, it will be a cakewalk for ruling combine in the house today.

People can start writing political obituaries of Thakrey. The father and the son and his recent benefactor ‘Kaka’ who led him to this day.

If you disagree with my chess analogy, listen to what Chagan Bhujabal, leader of NCP has to say about it: