9 - Alliances and political stratification

Summary

THE INSTABILITY OF HORIZONTAL POLITICAL ALLIANCES

As I suggested in Chapter 1 and as much of the material presented in the previous chapter demonstrates, one of the most striking features of horizontal political alliances in Western Maharashtra is their instability. This might appear to make the task of analysis extremely difficult, but, in fact, if the instability of horizontal alliances is placed against the other features of the political system it provides a key for the isolation of the crucial factors in political action.

Coalitions in the Shriram Co-operative Sugar Factory

An examination of coalitions formed on the Board of Directors of the Shriram Co-operative Sugar Factory since its founding in 1957 provides further confirmation for the view that horizontal alliances are unstable. The first Board of Directors of the Sugar Factory was appointed by the Bombay Government. Vijaysingh M. Naik Nimbalkar was Chairman and M. G. Date was Vice-Chairman. Other non-official members were M. B. Bedke (Maratha, Phaltan), K. K. Borawake (Mali, Phaltan), D. G. Pawar (v∂t∂ndar Maratha, Asu), R. M. Gawade (vatandar Dhangar, Gokhali), M. N. Doshi (Gujar, Gunavare and Phaltan), T. R. Shinde (v∂t∂ndar Maratha, Khunte-Shindevadi), S. R. Bhosle (v∂t∂ndar Maratha, Phaltan), Kondiram J. Ranavare (v∂t∂ndar Maratha, Jinti) and Sahebrao Bhosle (v∂t∂ndar Maratha, Hol).

The first Sugar Factory election was held in i960. The entire Board was up for election and the slate supported by the Rajasaheb was returned without a defeat. V. M. Naik Nimbalkar, M. G. Date, D. G. Pawar, Sahebrao Bhosle, and K. K. Borawake were re-elected by the producer members.