The BJP has pulled their candidate from the upcoming by-election in Andheri, Maharashtra. It’s the first major election in the state since the MVA administration fell because to infighting within the Shiv Sena.

As a result of the BJP’s vote, the Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena’s nominee, Rutuja Latke, is virtually certain of victory. Ramesh Latke, the victor of the last election, has passed away, necessitating a by-election.

BJP withdrew their candidate after being publicly lobbied by rival political parties to do so. The reason for this is that it is the political custom in Maharashtra to provide uncontested victories to the surviving relatives of candidates who have passed away. There is a catch here. Among the lawmakers that asked the BJP to withdraw its candidate was Sharad Pawar, who defended a fair election in the event of an incumbent MLA’s death three or four years before the next election.

In these current times, this can be considered a somewhat unique occurrence. A heated argument that took place inside the Shiv Sena was ultimately responsible for the BJP seizing power again, which in turn prompted the calling of the by-election. In this scenario, there are several compelling arguments in favour of sticking with what has been successful in the past. It is quite possible that the events that took place were influenced in some way by the fact that the by-results elections do not impact the continuity of the administration.

To what extent, though, do the major political parties in Maharashtra tell the people who vote for them that they are being truthful? Why should they anticipate that people will wish to provide their support to a relative of a politician who passed away not too long ago?