In Maharashtra, politics are full of expectation and careful planning as the state gets ready for the Assembly elections that will happen on November 20, 2024. The most important event in this situation right now, on October 26, 2024, is the ongoing seat-sharing talks between the Mahayuti alliance, which is made up of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) [1, 3].
Important Politicians and Parties
1. Eknath Shinde: Shinde is the current Chief Minister of Maharashtra and the leader of the Shinde party of the Shiv Sena. Shinde has been very important in figuring out how to work with all of the different political groups in the state. People are watching how he leads them as he tries to win over more members of his own party and make deals with friends. [2] [4].
2. Ajit Pawar: Pawar is a veteran politician and Deputy Chief Minister. His job is very important because of how much power he has in the NCP. His recent changes of political party have caused a stir but also made him a key player in the future elections. [1] [5].
3. Chandrashekhar Bawankule: The BJP’s state head has talked a lot about the coalition’s strategy and unity, stressing that talks are still going on about seven to eight open seats. His words show the tensions and talks going on inside the Mahayuti alliance as they get ready to fight the rival parties as a single unit [3, 4].
Events Linked to the Election
The Mahayuti alliance has released its first list of candidates, and more will likely be revealed soon. Bawankule said that a joint manifesto is being worked on so that people can see a clear picture. The rival Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which is made up of Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT), Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP), and the Congress party, takes a very different stance. The MVA’s plan seems to be to draw attention to its plans for growth, which it says are missing from the Mahayuti’s platform [2, 3].
Some of the biggest arguments
The Maratha reservation problem, which has been a flashpoint in Maharashtra politics, is still a major source of disagreement. People from the Maratha group, who make up about 30% of the state’s population, have been pushing for reservation benefits. This problem not only affects how people vote, but it also makes it harder for both major coalitions to work together. People think the BJP isn’t sure how it feels about this issue, which hurt its success in the recent Lok Sabha elections, where it lost seats because of problems in agriculture and unmet community needs [2, 4].
Effects on the Way Politics Work
A lot of people’s opinions and allegiances have changed since the last election, which affects the upcoming polls. The MVA’s victory in the Lok Sabha elections—31 out of 48 seats—has given its leaders more confidence and made people wonder if the Mahayuti can continue to work. On the other hand, if the Mahayuti can make good use of its government programs, such as the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, which gives women more power through cash handouts, it might change how voters feel in a good way [1, 2].
Concerns about the environment are also growing, and experts are telling candidates that they need to make climate action a top priority in their platforms before COP29. This call shows that voters are becoming more aware of environmental problems, which could change party platforms and voter priorities. [4] [5].
Bottom Line
As Maharashtra’s Assembly elections get closer, the way coalitions work, what the people want, and how candidates run their campaigns will have a big impact on the state’s political future. The result will not only affect how Maharashtra is run, but it will also show larger trends in Indian politics as a whole. With important people like Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar at the centre of these changes, everyone will be watching to see how well they can handle the chaos to protect their political accomplishments. [1] [3].
Citations:
[1] https://www.ndtv.com/video/mahayuti-and-maha-vikas-aghadi-two-major-alliances-in-maharashtra-elections-853452
[2] https://frontline.thehindu.com/politics/maharashtra-assembly-election-2024-vote-november-20-shiv-sena-ncp-caste-bjp-congress-politics/article68735638.ece
[3] https://www.deccanherald.com/elections/maharashtra/maharashtra-assembly-elections-2024-mahayuti-allies-still-in-talks-over-8-seats-says-bjps-bawankule-3250255
[4] https://www.deccanherald.com/elections/maharashtra/maharashtra-assembly-elections-2024-14th-assembly-has-been-tumultuous-changed-course-of-the-states-politics-3232689
[5] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/maharashtra/maharashtra-hasnt-seen-one-party-rule-for-three-decades/articleshow/114291055.cms
[6] https://www.etvbharat.com/en/!bharat/maharastra-assembly-polls-2024-party-loyalty-goes-for-a-toss-as-leaders-jump-the-ship-enn24102305315
[7] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/maharashtra-candidates-urged-to-prioritize-climate-action-in-2024-manifestos-ahead-of-cop29/articleshow/114559492.cms
[8] https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news/greens-want-political-parties-to-declare-plans-for-climate-mitigation-and-adaptation-101729799414455.html
[9] https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/rebellion-in-mahayuti-after-first-lists-shah-intervenes-to-keep-peace-101729882475367.html
[10] https://www.businesstoday.in/india/story/maharashtra-assembly-elections-2024-full-list-of-ncp-candidates-ajit-pawar-451190-2024-10-23
