![MASTER OF THE GAME](https://cdn.magzter.com/1366109351/1717653845/articles/kjhWSXNjE1717670502247/MASTER-OF-THE-GAME.jpg)
The big defeat handed by voters to the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra did not come as a surprise. Even though BJP leaders refused to acknowledge it, there was a strong undercurrent of anti-incumbency in the state against the Narendra Modi government.
Add to it the sympathy for Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar for the way the BJP split their parties (the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party, respectively), robbing them of long-held party symbols and even the Election Commission’s original party status. People saw it as part of the BJP’s alleged manipulation of constitutional bodies. The icing on the cake was Rahul Gandhi’s two yatras, which saw the consolidation of traditional Congress vote banks— Dalits, Muslims and tribals.
The BJP has been the biggest loser. It won only nine of 28 seats contested. Three of its Union ministers— Bharati Pawar, Raosaheb Danve and Kapil Patil—bit the dust.
Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party, a BJP ally, contested four seats but won just one. For all his bluster, he could not secure victory for his wife, Sunetra Pawar, in Baramati. Sharad Pawar proved his hold on the constituency by ensuring daughter Supriya Sule’s victory.
Among BJP allies, it was Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena that performed relatively well. It won seven of 15 seats it had contested.
Denne historien er fra June 16, 2024-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June 16, 2024-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![Neighbours With Benefits](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3180/1762234/W98d9xvhl1720682850605/crp_NEIGHBOURS-WITH-BENEFITS.jpg)
Neighbours With Benefits
There has never been a better time to pursue a trade deal with China
![Shabbats in 10 Downing Street](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3180/1762234/I2pAAc98e1720685501797/SHABBATS-IN-10-DOWNING-STREET.jpg)
Shabbats in 10 Downing Street
Diwali lamps are out, Shabbat candles are in— at 10 Downing Street.
![Are the Brits racist or are we?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3180/1762234/ZvRiF1W2R1720685408174/ARE-THE-BRITS-RACIST-OR-ARE-WE.jpg)
Are the Brits racist or are we?
While an Indian-origin UK PM has lost his premiership, in the emerging line-up for his succession as leader of the Tory party are two ladies of Indian origin-Suella Braverman and Priti Patel and two contenders of African heritage, James Cleverly and Kemi Badenoch. There appears to be only one aspirant of indubitably British origin, Tom Tugendhat.
![Stories by saris](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3180/1762234/JibWkak641720685226449/STORIES-BY-SARIS.jpg)
Stories by saris
I had a Hindu-Muslim wedding more than 20 years ago.
![Copy editors, Oxford commas and other pestilences](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3180/1762234/aCMWRSR9w1720684650759/COPY-EDITORS-OXFORD-COMMAS-AND-OTHER-PESTILENCES.jpg)
Copy editors, Oxford commas and other pestilences
SOMEONE TOLD ME years ago that J.K. Rowling, author of all that Harry Potter nonsense, had her first manuscript rejected eleventy-six times before becoming a sensational bestseller.
![TOUCH OF THE DUTCH](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3180/1762234/AFwBfxO0-1720684300619/TOUCH-OF-THE-DUTCH.jpg)
TOUCH OF THE DUTCH
Chef Jacob Jan Boerma wants a Michelin starred restaurant in India
![The unique Anant Ambani](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3180/1762234/kEb1Ov-hs1720684196037/THE-UNIQUE-ANANT-AMBANI.jpg)
The unique Anant Ambani
Anant Ambani, 29-Mukesh and Nita Ambani's youngest child and second son-may turn out to be the most googled man in India when he ties the knot with Radhika Merchant.
![The fact that we humans can break any tyranny is beautiful](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3180/1762234/VLOdjf0cD1720684019551/THE-FACT-THAT-WE-HUMANS-CAN-BREAK-ANY-TYRANNY-IS-BEAUTIFUL.jpg)
The fact that we humans can break any tyranny is beautiful
A journalist reporting from conflict zones for The Times London, Paul Pickering turned novelist to tell the story of Josef Mengele, the 'Angel of Death' at Auschwitz, whom he met in Paraguay.
![RACE TO THE FUTURE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3180/1762234/pQrBJoBbn1720683804377/RACE-TO-THE-FUTURE.jpg)
RACE TO THE FUTURE
China and India aim at reducing STI interdependency risks and enhancing industrial performance through investments
![PRECIOUS FREEDOMS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3180/1762234/mD-9scJOB1720683499461/PRECIOUS-FREEDOMS.jpg)
PRECIOUS FREEDOMS
There is little comparison with China on civil liberties. But India could heed the lessons