MUMBAI: The Election Commission of India has announced that Maharashtra will hold its assembly election in a single phase on November 20. The Nanded bypoll will also occur on the same day, with counting scheduled for November 23. The model code of conduct for political parties and candidates is now in effect, preventing ministers from announcing new schemes or grants.
This election could determine the fate of political parties like Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Times of India newspaper wrote on October 16. The Congress, which ranked fourth in the last assembly election, hopes to build on its parliamentary resurgence. For the BJP, a win is vital after a disappointing performance in the Lok Sabha (LS) elections, where it secured only nine seats in Maharashtra, the report (by Priyanka Kakodkar) said.
The ruling Mahayuti alliance has introduced several welfare schemes to win voters, including a Rs 1,500 monthly stipend for underprivileged women under the Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. This initiative, costing Rs 46,000 crore annually, aims to mimic the success of similar schemes in other states.
However, the effectiveness of such schemes varies. For example, despite offering numerous welfare programs, the BRS lost in Telangana's polls last year.
Voters will also consider pressing issues like farmers' distress over agricultural pricing, unemployment and price hikes. The Mahayuti alliance suffered in regions like Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Nashik during the LS polls due to the crash in soybean prices and the onion export ban. The central government has since lifted the export ban and ensured soybean procurement at minimum support prices.
Caste-based issues are another significant factor. The ongoing Maratha quota unrest has led to a counter-consolidation by the BJP's traditional OBC voters. The Dhangar community's demand for inclusion in the ST quota is also contentious, with strong opposition from current Scheduled Tribes, the report underlined.
Additionally, it remains uncertain whether the Muslim and Dalit communities, who opposed the Mahayuti in the LS polls, will maintain their stance.
For the BJP, retaining power is crucial, especially after breaking ties with the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena. The party's alliance with Ajit Pawar's NCP, previously criticized by the BJP over an irrigation scam, has alienated some core supporters. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis faces pressure to deliver success after the Lok Sabha loss.
Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray will compete to establish which faction represents the true Shiv Sena. A similar conflict exists within the NCP between Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar's factions. Both rebel groups have secured their party names and symbols, but it's unclear how long the parent parties can sustain public sympathy. A loss could lead to an exodus and political decline.
In the LS polls, Shiv Sena won seven out of 15 seats, while Thackeray's faction secured nine out of 21 seats. Sharad Pawar's NCP won eight out of 10 seats, maintaining control of Baramati, whereas Ajit Pawar's faction won only one seat from the four contested.
The Congress made significant gains, increasing its seats from one to 13, replacing BJP as the largest party in the state.
To succeed, both alliances must act cohesively. The Mahayuti alliance needs to overcome internal competition over welfare schemes, and the MVA alliance must resolve leadership disputes. Managing the aspirations of ticket seekers is also crucial.
The winning party will face the challenge of managing Maharashtra's financial troubles. The state's debt exceeds Rs 7.8 lakh crore, with a fiscal deficit projected to be Rs 2 lakh crore, which is significantly above target levels.
This election could determine the fate of political parties like Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Times of India newspaper wrote on October 16. The Congress, which ranked fourth in the last assembly election, hopes to build on its parliamentary resurgence. For the BJP, a win is vital after a disappointing performance in the Lok Sabha (LS) elections, where it secured only nine seats in Maharashtra, the report (by Priyanka Kakodkar) said.
The ruling Mahayuti alliance has introduced several welfare schemes to win voters, including a Rs 1,500 monthly stipend for underprivileged women under the Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. This initiative, costing Rs 46,000 crore annually, aims to mimic the success of similar schemes in other states.
However, the effectiveness of such schemes varies. For example, despite offering numerous welfare programs, the BRS lost in Telangana's polls last year.
Voters will also consider pressing issues like farmers' distress over agricultural pricing, unemployment and price hikes. The Mahayuti alliance suffered in regions like Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Nashik during the LS polls due to the crash in soybean prices and the onion export ban. The central government has since lifted the export ban and ensured soybean procurement at minimum support prices.
Caste-based issues are another significant factor. The ongoing Maratha quota unrest has led to a counter-consolidation by the BJP's traditional OBC voters. The Dhangar community's demand for inclusion in the ST quota is also contentious, with strong opposition from current Scheduled Tribes, the report underlined.
Additionally, it remains uncertain whether the Muslim and Dalit communities, who opposed the Mahayuti in the LS polls, will maintain their stance.
For the BJP, retaining power is crucial, especially after breaking ties with the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena. The party's alliance with Ajit Pawar's NCP, previously criticized by the BJP over an irrigation scam, has alienated some core supporters. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis faces pressure to deliver success after the Lok Sabha loss.
Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray will compete to establish which faction represents the true Shiv Sena. A similar conflict exists within the NCP between Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar's factions. Both rebel groups have secured their party names and symbols, but it's unclear how long the parent parties can sustain public sympathy. A loss could lead to an exodus and political decline.
In the LS polls, Shiv Sena won seven out of 15 seats, while Thackeray's faction secured nine out of 21 seats. Sharad Pawar's NCP won eight out of 10 seats, maintaining control of Baramati, whereas Ajit Pawar's faction won only one seat from the four contested.
The Congress made significant gains, increasing its seats from one to 13, replacing BJP as the largest party in the state.
To succeed, both alliances must act cohesively. The Mahayuti alliance needs to overcome internal competition over welfare schemes, and the MVA alliance must resolve leadership disputes. Managing the aspirations of ticket seekers is also crucial.
The winning party will face the challenge of managing Maharashtra's financial troubles. The state's debt exceeds Rs 7.8 lakh crore, with a fiscal deficit projected to be Rs 2 lakh crore, which is significantly above target levels.
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