Maharashtra and the power of Oligarchy | Faraz Ahmad

Britannica describes Oligarchy as a government with despotic power exercised by a small and privileged group for corrupt or selfish purposes.
Wikipedia elaborates how Putative oligarchy in a country or nation in which one or a few Business groups become the largest private owners who possess sufficient political power to influence their own interests and control multiple businesses, coordinating activities across sectors.

What was at stake during the Maharashtra Assembly elections? The cost of Dharavi Redevelopment Project is estimated by the government at $ 3 billion and the state’s Slum Rehabilitation Authority, aims to transform Dharavi’s sprawling 600-acre slum, home to over one million residents into modern multi-storeyed tenaments for the poor residents of Dharavi with commercial complexes in the vicinity, according to a pro-BJP portal Swarajya.

The Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd (DRPPL), has an 80 per cent stake of the Adani Group and the remaining 20 per cent with the state’s Slum Rehabilitation Authority. The Union commerce ministry recently transferred 256 acres of salt pan land to the state, for rental housing in areas like Wadala, Bhandup, Kanjurmarg, and Vikhroli. Plus an additional 125 acres near Deonar dumping ground has also been allocated for similar purposes. Add to this the cost of the Railway land, might be the biggest acquisition coming Adani way.

The extent of small scale and informal industries in Dharavi, include leather goods, pottery, food items like papad and achar apart from fruits and other related items going into recycling, providing employment to over 100,000 individuals, both men and women.

Had the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) led by Shiv Sena (Udhav) the NCP (Sharad) and the Congress won the Maharashtra Assembly elections, last December, their stated stand was to scrap this rip off planned by the Mahayuti led by none other than BJP leader and now Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis along with Shiv Sena faction led by outgoing chief minister Eknath Shinde and NCP led by Ajit Pawar.

During the campaign for that Assembly election, Rahul Gandhi had warned that were the Mahayuti to win the BJP plans to dislocate the poor residents of Dharavi and strike at their trade would be adversely affected. The message did influence the residents of Dharavi, where in spite of Congress rout throughout the state, its candidate won in Dharavi.

Udhav Thackeray had announced in repeated election meetings that were he to come to power, he would immediately scrap the Dharavi project. That was a real threat to Adani’s stakes. Ensuring an overwhelming decisive victory for Fadnavis’ BJP and allies was crucial for Gautam bhai. There is now no stopping this massive project which may see the face of Mumbai change like never before with Dharavi looking like something of a Nariman Point. Never mind that of the one million people living and working in Dharavi an almost 30 to 40 pe cent may come under the “ineligible” category.

According to the Swarajya report, the residents are divided into three categories. One, the ‘eligible’ ones who have documented evidence of living there before January 1, 2000. They will be given 350 Sq. ft. tenaments free of cost. Then there are those who provide evidence of having moved in between 2000 and 2011. They will be given smaller 300 sq. ft. tenaments under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for Rs 2.5 lakh each. The “Ineligible” residents will be relocated to rental housing in “model townships” with options for future ownership, said the Swarajya report. Sources however said that that comprised the largest compliments of the one million occupants of Dharavi. Imagine how many people will be virtually thrown out of the heart of Mumbai.

That is why, apart from the perceived scam, there was opposition to this project. But that was then. Now with Fadnavis in the saddle and Adani rearing to go almost all of them with the exception of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party have fallen in line. Sharad Pawar’s mother Ashaji has prayed for the reunion of Ajit and Sharad factions, which means what? That both the factions come together under Fadnavis-Adani umbrella.

As for Udhav his party organ Saamana has ”congratulated Deva bhau” ostensibly for plans for developing the Maoist stronghold Gadchiroli. So has Supriya Sule. But that appears merely a ruse to declare their allegiance to Deva Bhau. Deva Bhau therefore will not just restrict his “redevelopment” projects to Dharavi alone. How much is in store for Gautam bhai in Maharashtra, apart from Dharavi, is anybody’s guess. But now all the nay sayers, except perhaps Rahul Gandhi have said aye. That’s the power of Oligarchy.