The important thing to note is that Marathi political identity is a non sequitur. That is why there is a movement to separate Vidarbha from Maharashtra. There is nothing common between Marathwada and Konkan. Marathwada has the legacy of the Nizam’s rule. It became part of Maharashtra state only after the idea of linguistic states was politically implemented. Konkan is culturally so ‘sovereign’ that it does not even recognise Vidarbha and Marathwada. Mumbai is another case altogether. It is far more cosmopolitan than any other city in India. Indeed, it is this overwhelming cosmopolitanism of Mumbai that has led to the cultural ghettoisation and chauvinism of the Marathi community in the city. This clinging together is in no way ethnically or culturally related. For a Konkani person in Mumbai, the Vidarbhaite is as much alien as a Bhojpuri.

Pratibha Patil comes from Jalgaon, which is part of Khandesh. This region is so marginalised in terms of development that it hardly gets noticed in the media. Khandesh is not even part of a large identity like Vidarbha, Marathwada or Konkan (Pune is another phenomenon altogether). There is no reason for a Konkani person or a Puneite or anyone in Vidarbha or Marathwada to feel greatly enamoured of Pratibha Patil becoming Rashtrapati.

Once she is formally elected, of course, there will be celebrations orchestrated by the Congress Party, but these will be ceremonial in nature and absolutely formal. Under the massive media spotlight, the Marathi Manoos will also say that he/she is proud to have a Marathi person in the highest post in the land, but it is not likely to touch an ethnic or linguistic chord. Not because the Marathi people disrespect her, but simply because she does not represent a comprehensive Marathi ethos — if indeed there is such a thing.