What makes the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly polls unprecedented
Nov 19, 2024
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Shubhangi Khapre, a political analyst at The Indian Express, delves into the unprecedented 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. She discusses the rise of three-party alliances and the confusion stemming from a crowded candidate field. Voter discontent is palpable, with parties resorting to populist promises aimed at women and farmers. Khapre also highlights critical issues like inflation and caste dynamics influencing voter behavior. Additionally, the BJP's strategies to engage OBC voters and shift narratives in response to farmer unrest are explored, showcasing the complexities of this election.
The unprecedented crowded field in the 2024 Maharashtra elections has led to internal tensions within parties, complicating campaign strategies.
Voter skepticism about political representatives and their promises highlights a growing discontent among constituents, particularly within the farming community.
Deep dives
Political Landscape and Alliances
The upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections showcase an unprecedented political landscape with six mainstream parties contesting, forming two major alliances: the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi. The Mahayuti consists of Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi includes Congress, NCP, and Shirsena UBT. This election marks a significant shift from previous years, as previously the contest primarily involved only two major parties. The crowded field has led to internal tensions, particularly within the BJP, where a notable number of candidates have rebelled, complicating the party's campaign strategy.
Voter Sentiment and Discontent
Voter sentiment across rural Maharashtra is characterized by discontent and skepticism regarding the current political dynamics, with many citizens expressing dissatisfaction with the prevalent 'todfod ki rajniti'. This disapproval transcends party lines, as individuals from various backgrounds are questioning the credibility and reliability of political representatives amid frequent party switching. Observations from the ground reveal a collective frustration with the lack of substantive promises from the political parties, leading to doubts about their ability to effectively address local issues. While there is no strong anti-incumbency feeling towards the parties themselves, constituents are expected to judge candidates individually based on their past performance.
Election Promises and Farming Issues
Both major alliances are resorting to populist electoral promises, which have raised concerns among the farming community, particularly regarding issues like minimum support prices for crops. The ruling party's flagship scheme, Ladki Bahin Yojna, offers monetary assistance to women but has been overshadowed by the urgent demand from farmers for fair pricing on their produce, with the government previously failing to meet these expectations. Meanwhile, the opposition has also made ambitious commitments, but farmers are questioning the feasibility of these promises amid ongoing agrarian distress. Overall, the focus on short-term populist schemes may not resonate as effectively with voters who are grappling with deeper economic challenges.
As Maharashtra prepares to head to the polls tomorrow, The Indian Express’ Shubhangi Khapre joins us to explore what makes this election unprecedented, the strategies parties have used to engage with voters, and how an overcrowded field is causing confusion among them.
Hosted and produced by Shashank Bhargava Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar
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