The upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra, which will happen on November 23, 2024, are causing a lot of political change at the moment. As the parties plan their moves and make alliances, big events happen that could affect how the state is run and the lives of its people.
Important Political Events
Strategic Moves by Congress
The Indian National Congress (INC) is working hard to strengthen its position in Maharashtra by using what it has learnt from past elections. The Congress wants to repeat its success from the recent state elections in Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. To do this, it is putting out a platform with five key guarantees for voters. Some of these are cash payments to families, free bus rides for women, free grains, cheaper energy, and payments to people who are unemployed. The party is also pushing for a caste census, which is seen as an important step towards reducing social inequality and getting support from under-represented groups[2, 4].
Leaders in Congress stress how important it is to keep strong relationships and make sure that their campaign hits home with voters. Rahul Gandhi’s office is keeping a close eye on these events, which shows that the central leadership is getting more involved than in previous elections[2].
Controversies and exciting political events
While these plans are being made, problems are starting to arise. Notably, Shrikant Pangarkar has joined the Shiv Sena (UBT). He was charged with killing writer Gauri Lankesh in 2017. Since he is going to be in charge of the campaign in the Jalna constituency, his participation brings up moral questions about how candidates are chosen and how honest the party is. This move has been criticised and could change how people see the Shiv Sena as it tries to get more people to vote for it[2, 3].
Election Dynamics and Alliances
Changes in relationships make things even more complicated in politics. The Maha Vikas Aghadi is made up of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar’s NCP. The Mahayuti, which is made up of BJP and Shiv Sena, is their opponent. Reports say that the second government is working out ways to share seats as they get ready for what many people think will be a very close election[4, 5].
Since 1990, no single party in Maharashtra has won a clear majority, so there is a good chance that the assembly will be tied. Because of this, parties are under more pressure to form working partnerships quickly after the election results are released[4].
Effects on the Way Politics Work
Not only will the upcoming polls choose the next government, but they will also show larger political trends in Maharashtra. The Congress party is focussing on policies based on caste to fight the BJP’s strategies that have historically divided communities. Also, problems like corruption and how the current Shinde-led government runs things are at the heart of opposition stories[2, 5].
As the political groups get ready for this important time, their plans will likely affect how people feel and how many people vote. Focussing on practical promises by Congress may appeal to voters who are having a hard time with the economy, while candidates like Pangarkar who are involved in scandals could turn off some voters[3].
Finally, Maharashtra’s political scene is full of excitement as parties get ready for elections that will have a big impact on how the state is run in the future. As alliances and conflicts form, how these things play out will be important not only for the politicians involved, but also for the people of Maharashtra who want good representation and government.
Citations:
[1] https://prsindia.org/articles-by-prs-team/explained-in-maharashtra-drama-the-key-legal-provision-%E2%80%94-anti-defection-law
[2] https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/maharashtra-congress-haryana-pitfalls-mva-india-bloc-9629162/
[3] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/maharashtra-politics/news
[4] https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/politics/maharashtra-assembly-election-live-updates-eknath-shinde-uddhav-thackeray-ajit-pawar-sharad-devendra-fadnavis-ncp-bjp-cong-liveblog-19494321.htm
[5] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/maharashtra/maharashtra-elections-is-eknath-shindes-stronghold-crumbling-under-corruption-accusations/articleshow/114273663.cms
[6] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/maharashtra-elections-72-hours-to-form-government-amid-political-turmoil/articleshow/114325861.cms
[7] https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/maharashtra-politics-more-than-that-meets-the-eye/article68296630.ece
[8] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/maharashtra/maharashtra-hasnt-seen-one-party-rule-for-three-decades/articleshow/114291055.cms
