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Maharashtra Assembly polls: A litmus test for Marathas
The Marathas may find it difficult to retain their socio-political domination
f the Mahayuti wins the upcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) gets more seats, a non-Maratha leader could become the Chief Minister, thus challenging the historical hegemony of the Maratha elite.
This may create a new challenge to the Maratha domination in the State. However, the prospects of this shift translating into greater political agency for the marginalised communities remain tenuous.
Challenges to Maratha Dominance in Maharashtra Politics and Society
The Marathas are not only facing challenges in electoral democracy; in other spheres too, their conventional domination is dwindling. Their dominance extends to key economic sectors, including education, banking, and agriculture.
This fragmentation has resulted in the dispersal of Maratha voters across multiple political parties, diluting their once unassailable political clout.
The rise of new political forces, especially the BJP, has empowered OBCs and some Scheduled Castes, challenging Maratha dominance.
The Maratha identity is diverse, with distinctions between the elite Gadivarcha, middle-class Ghodyawarcha, and impoverished Garib Marathas. While the elite have historically held power, middle-class Marathas face declining mobility due to agrarian crises, land commercialization, and urban migration. Meanwhile, the rise of Dalit movements challenges Maratha dominance, especially in rural areas, as Dalits gain visibility.
The Garib Maratha, involved in marginal farming and informal work, faces socioeconomic challenges similar to Dalits and Muslims. Despite better overall indicators, growing demands for reservations highlight their increasing economic vulnerabilities. Neoliberal reforms have hit middle-class Marathas hard, pushing many into poverty due to agricultural distress and lack of urban jobs.
The Marathas are the most influential political and social actors in Maharashtra politics. However, in the post-liberalisation period, their domination witnessed new challenges. The Assembly election is going to be a difficult test for the Marathas to retain their socio-political domination.
