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The upcoming Maharashtra Assembly Elections, scheduled for November 20th, 2024, are poised to be a fiercely contested battle between two major alliances. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and a section of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) under Ajit Pawar, is striving to retain its power. Conversely, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, consisting of the Congress, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction), and the remaining NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar, aims for a strong comeback after losing the previous election. The election will take place from 7 am to 6 pm, across all 288 constituencies. Results are expected on November 23rd. The stakes are high, with both alliances deploying their top leaders and strategists in a bid to sway public opinion.
The election campaign has witnessed intense activity, with prominent national leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi actively campaigning across Maharashtra. The Mahayuti alliance has focused on highlighting its popular schemes, such as the 'Majhi Ladki Bahin' program aimed at empowering women, as a key plank of its campaign. However, the BJP's use of controversial slogans, including 'Batenge toh katenge' (We will speak, and we will cut) and 'Ek hai toh safe hai' (If one is with us, they are safe), has sparked widespread criticism. The opposition alleges that these slogans are divisive and aimed at polarizing voters along religious lines. This has caused internal friction within the Mahayuti, with some allies, including Ajit Pawar, publicly distancing themselves from the controversial slogans, while Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attempted to clarify their meaning – an attempt that only served to highlight the internal divisions within the ruling coalition.
The MVA alliance, meanwhile, has centered its campaign on issues such as the demand for a caste-based census, social justice, and the protection of the Constitution. They have attempted to appeal to voters who feel marginalized or neglected by the current government. The BJP, in response, launched an advertisement campaign urging citizens to ‘Say No to Congress’, citing events like the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the 2020 Palghar lynching to discredit the Congress party's past performance. This showcases the highly charged and often adversarial nature of the campaign, which has not been shy about using emotional appeals and controversial narratives. The high number of candidates – 4,136, a significant increase from 3,239 in 2019 – underscores the intensity of political competition, particularly considering the large number of independent and rebel candidates running against their own parties' official nominees.
The scale of the election is substantial. The Election Commission has prepared for a large turnout, setting up 100,186 polling booths, an increase from 96,654 in 2019, to accommodate the nearly 9.7 crore registered voters. This massive logistical undertaking requires the deployment of around 6 lakh state government employees for election duties. The enforcement agencies have also been active, seizing goods worth Rs 252.42 crore since the Model Code of Conduct came into effect. This includes cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals, and jewelry, reflecting the efforts to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process. The significant seizures of illicit goods highlight attempts to prevent any form of voter manipulation or undue influence.
The upcoming Maharashtra Assembly Elections promise to be a decisive battle with far-reaching consequences for the political landscape of the state. The intense campaigning, the significant number of candidates, and the substantial resources being deployed all indicate the importance both alliances attach to winning this election. The outcome will not only determine the state government but also have wider ramifications for national politics, potentially shaping the trajectory of future elections and influencing alliances at the national level. The focus on issues like social justice, economic development, and religious polarization underscores the complex and multifaceted nature of this electoral contest.
Source: Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Voting to be held tomorrow