India, June 24 -- As Maharashtra limps toward its long-delayed civic elections, the state's political theatre is in full swing-and what a grotesque spectacle it is. Parties are not contesting to serve the people; they're scrambling to stay relevant, to save their face, and most importantly, to claim their share in the spoils of power. In this circus of shifting loyalties, public bickering, fake virtue, and dangerous distractions, the ordinary voter-the Marathi Manoos-is reduced to a disposable extra, expected to clap, vote, and suffer in silence.

At the centre of this chaos is the ongoing tug-of-war between the Mahayuti alliance and the Mahavikas Aghadi. While the Mahayuti, comprising BJP, Shinde Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCP faction, boast...