महाराष्ट्र में 20 नवंबर को विधानसभा चुनाव के लिए वोटिंग होनी है, इसे लेकर प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी ने गुरुवार को मुंबई के दादर स्थित शिवाजी पार्क मैदान में रैली की, लेकिन इस रैली में डिप्टी सीएम अजित पवार और उनकी पार्टी के अन्य वरिष्ठ नेताओं ने हिस्सा नहीं लिया. साथ ही NCP उम्मीदवार सना मलिक, नवाब मलिक और जीशान सिद्दीकी भी महायुति गठबंधन की रैली में शामिल नहीं हुए. जबकि शिवसेना (शिंदे गुट) और रामदास अठावले की अगुवाई वाली आरपीआई समेत महायुति के सभी उम्मीदवार रैली के दौरान मंच पर मौजूद थे.

पीएम मोदी ने रैली के दौरान कहा कि महाविकास अघाड़ी के लोग तुष्टिकरण के गुलाम हो चुके हैं. ये वो अघाड़ी है, जो राम मंदिर का विरोध करते हैं. भगवा आतंकवाद शब्द गढ़ते हैं. कश्मीर में 370 की वापसी के लिए प्रस्ताव पारित करते हैं, आज महाराष्ट्र विधानसभा चुनाव की मेरी आख़िरी सभा है. हर क्षेत्र के लोगों से मेरा संवाद हुआ है. उन्होंने कहा कि पूरे महाराष्ट्र का आशीर्वाद आज महायुति के साथ है. 

‘सरकार बनाने के लिए कांग्रेस बिना पानी के मछली जैसी तड़प रही’

उन्होंने कहा कि महाविकास अघाड़ी वालों के लिए देश से ऊपर उनका दल है. जब भारत आगे बढ़ता है, तो अघाड़ी वालों को तक़लीफ होती है. ये लोग भारत की उपलब्धि पर सवाल उठाते हैं. अघाड़ी के लोग जाति के नाम पर लोगों को लड़ाने में लगे हैं. सरकार बनाने के लिए कांग्रेस बिना पानी के मछली जैसी तड़प रही है. 

‘एससी-एसटी की जातियों को लड़ाना चाहती है कांग्रेस’

पीएम ने कहा कि कांग्रेस एससी-एसटी की जातियों को आपस में लड़ाना चाहती है. मैं बार-बार कह रहा हूं कि जिस प्रकार से महाविकास अघाड़ी के लोग कारनामे कर रहे हैं, जिस प्रकार से ‘कांग्रेस के शहज़ादे’ तबाही की भाषा बोल रहे हैं, ऐसे में एक बात बहुत ज़रूरी हो गई है- ‘एक हैं तो सेफ हैं’.

महाविकास अघाड़ी पर साधा निशाना

पीएम मोदी ने कहा कि अघाड़ी में एक ऐसा दल है, जिसने बालासाहेब का अपमान करने वाले दल के हाथ में अपना रिमोट सौंप दिया है. हिम्मत है तो एक बार को ‘कांग्रेस के शहज़ादे’ के मुंह से निकलवाइए- हिंदू हृदय सम्राट बालासाहेब ठाकरे. उन्होंने कहा कि ‘आज देश में मोदी की सरकार है, आतंक के आकाओं को पता है, इन अघाड़ी वालों को पता हो या ना हो कि भारत के खिलाफ कुछ किया, मुंबई के खिलाफ कुछ भी किया तो पाताल में भी मोदी नहीं छोड़ेगा.’

With a budgetary allocation of ₹46,000 crore this year, Ladki Bahin Yojana is the centrepiece in a host of populist cash transfer and welfare schemes offered by chief minister Eknath Shinde’s Mahayuti government in its bid to return to power when the state goes to the polls on Wednesday. The Mahayuti comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena (SS) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

Launched just months before the election, it is similar to the Ladli Bahna Yojana in Madhya Pradesh, which helped the incumbent BJP win the state election last winter. But it is not the only scheme being offered in Maharashtra.

In the last few months, the ruling coalition has announced a series of other sops and schemes, including waiving of electricity costs for agriculture pumps up to 7.5 horsepower capacity, training and stipend for youth, free pilgrimages for senior citizens, and even a toll waiver on light vehicles at five entry points to Mumbai. Some estimates put the annual allocation for such schemes upwards of ₹96,000 crore.

Not to be outdone, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), too, has promised enhanced monthly financial aid for women, electricity for the poor, subsidized gas cylinders, as well as farm debt waivers in its manifesto. The MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and NCP Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP).

Maharashtra is a politically crucial state, with the second highest number of parliamentary seats in the country. The assembly election in the state comes just months after the Lok Sabha polls, where the Congress-led MVA won more seats than the BJP-led Mahayuti. This is the first state election since Maharashtra’s two key regional parties—the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena (SS)—split.

Maharashtra is the biggest contributor to India’s GDP (gross domestic product). Historically, cutting across party lines, farm loan waivers and farm power bill waivers have been a recurring theme in the state’s political landscape. But experts say the scale of the populist pitch in this state election is breathtaking.

These populist schemes (and promises) come at a time when the state is steeped in massive debt and red flags have been raised by the finance department on the profligate spending on sops as well as infrastructure projects.

Voters in India’s second most populous state say inflation, unemployment and rural distress are key electoral issues and are divided over whether the competitive populism will influence their voting choices. Experts feel that while such populism will help mobilize voters, it does not necessarily guarantee a win.

Women voters

On a hot November afternoon, eight women in their late thirties sit and chat at a neighbour’s home in a densely populated slum in Mumbai’s Sakinaka locality. All except one are beneficiaries of the Ladki scheme. Three of them also received a household utensil set in the runup to the elections from the domestic workers welfare board. They all have varied views on the scheme.

Vandana Prakash Gaekwad, a domestic worker who first found out about the scheme from a YouTube reel, said she feels it will be stopped after the election. Manisha Gaekwad, a housewife, said that she would prefer to see the scheme stopped if in return the government reduces the cost of everyday items such as vegetables and groceries. And Samta Wahul said that “women are smarter than politicians think” and will keep several factors in mind while getting their fingers inked.

There are 4.66 crore women voters in Maharashtra (and 4.97 crore men). Of them, more than 2.34 crore women are already beneficiaries of the scheme. If it returns to power, the Mahayuti has pledged to increase the monthly assistance under the scheme to ₹2,100. Other women-specific schemes introduced in this summer’s state budget include pink e-rickshaws (under which 10,000 women in 17 cities will be financed to buy rickshaws), equipment for health sub-centres for breast and cervical cancer screening, a startup scheme for small entrepreneurs, and three free gas cylinders.

Most of the women voters Mint spoke to highlighted how rising inflation had made it difficult to run households and questioned why the ruling alliance waited till a few months before the election to announce the Ladki scheme.

Keshav Upadhye, the Maharashtra BJP’s chief spokesperson, said that it was unfair to link the scheme with elections because it has been five months since it was first announced. “This scheme has brought about a big change on the ground, especially in rural areas. Women feel self-reliant as they have been using this money to do something of their own,” he told Mint.

In response to a question on concerns over the stress on the state’s finances, Upadhye said these schemes should not be viewed as a “financial burden” and said each state has its own financial situation within which such calls are taken.

An increase in women’s political participation in the last decade has meant that political parties, especially the Congress and BJP, have eyed their votes. In the past, gender-targeted schemes have helped parties win elections. Examples include prohibition for the Janata Dal (United) in Bihar, Mission Shakti for the Biju Janata Dal in Odisha, and subsidized gas cylinders under the Ujjawala Yojana for the BJP nationally.

Prithviraj Chavan, a former Maharashtra chief minister and chief of the Congress’ manifesto committee in the state, gave a spirited defence of the party’s proposed cash transfer scheme for women. “There is evidence in international economic theories on universal basic income about how direct cash transfers help women. We promised the same in Karnataka and Telangana and it has helped women a lot,” he told Mint.

“There can always be an argument over where the money is going to come from. But money must be found and must be spent where absolutely needed,” Chavan added.

Inflation, unemployment woes

Several low-income voters, especially informal workers, domestic workers, farmers and fisherfolk, spoke about the introduction of schemes such as Ladki in conjunction with rising inflation, rural distress, and lack of regular employment opportunities. A constant refrain was that the modest financial gain through these schemes is soon offset by high spending on everyday items and services.

Vishnu Laxman Vartha, a 62-year-old farmer from Vire village in Dahanu taluka near Palghar, said that farmers have borne the brunt of rising input costs. “We are not asking for free seeds or free electricity. We simply say: give us a good subsidy on fertilizers and ensure constant electricity supply,” he said.

Sitting on their home’s porch, his younger sister-in-law, Hiroo Chandrakant Vartha, 45, quipped that in remote villages like theirs, getting access to basic facilities and government schemes is a challenge. “This challenge gets compounded when everything from vegetables to vegetable oil is costly,” she added.

Several people from villages near Palghar (including Vire and Ranshet) and near Uran (Hanuman Koliwada (Sheva) and Gavhan Koliwada) told Mint that young men prefer migrating to Mumbai and Navi Mumbai in search of work.

However, concerns over inflation and lack of regular employment resonated in urban areas as well. Ram Kishan Khillare, a 42-year-old construction worker in Navi Mumbai’s Belapur, migrated from his hometown Hingoli decades ago. Every morning, he along with hundreds of others stands at a labour chowk to find work. In a good month, he said, there are 12-14 days of work, at a daily wage of ₹600.

“We have got a one-time safety kit and a household utensil kit from our board. It helps, but it is not critical to our jobs. We need more jobs, regularisation of work and effective medical assistance,” Khillare added.

A survey by MIT-SOG-CSDS-Lokniti (MIT School of Government and Centre for the Study of Developing Societies) published in The Hindu newspaper last month showed that 24% of voters in the state identified unemployment as their primary issue, while 22% cited inflation.

To address unemployment, the state government has launched a Ladka Bhau Yojana under which 10 lakh youths will be trained annually with a monthly stipend of up to ₹10,000. The annual expenditure on this scheme is ₹10,000 crore. The MVA, too, has promised a ₹4,000 monthly allowance to educated youths if it gets voted to power.

Neeraj Hatekar, an economist from Maharashtra, said that unlike loan waivers, direct cash transfer schemes require regular committed expenditure by governments. The MVA has promised a farm loan waiver of up to ₹3 lakh in its manifesto, while the Mahayuti has pledged to increase existing financial assistance to farmers.

Also read: Will Haryana shocker impact Maharashtra elections? Should AAP & Congress unite to win Delhi? 3 key questions answered

“The kind of debt profile that we are in, it all comes down to where the resources are being used. And right now, rural infrastructure should be the priority,” he said, adding that the state has not been able to provide effective basic services such as health and education.

News reports peg Maharashtra’s total debt burden at ₹7.11 trillion while its fiscal deficit has crossed the ₹2 trillion mark. Last month, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio, justified overruling concerns raised by the state’s finance department.

According to Hatekar, such schemes amount to “official buying of votes” and could only offer marginal political returns as other factors, such as caste, religion, local candidates etc, could override populism.

Electoral stakes

Along with Maharashtra, the Jharkhand assembly election is also being held this month. In that state, too, both the ruling coalition led by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), and the opposition BJP are banking on a slew of populist promises to win. Counting will take place on 23 November in both states. The stakes are high for both the national parties as well as regional players in the two polls.

Sanjay Kumar, political analyst and co-director of Lokniti, a research institute, said that political parties are ‘mistaken’ if they believe that they can win elections only on populist schemes.

“Populist schemes and promises help political parties mobilize voters but they cannot ensure a victory. At the same time, they do no harm either,” said Kumar. “So, it comes down to what is the degree of benefit. I think the benefit is far less compared to what we or political parties generally tend to believe.”

He added that surveys show there is usually a tilt among beneficiaries in favour of ruling parties. “But that does not mean, all of them will vote for incumbents; some also vote for the opposition. Non-beneficiaries voting for incumbents is also sizable,” he added.

In Mumbai, voters are divided over the impact of such policies on their lives and on the election outcome. Anita Navnath Mane, a beneficiary who is a sweeper with the municipal corporation, feels that the Mahayuti government deserves her vote because of the steps they have taken for women. “I am a single mother and the money under Ladki Bahin scheme came just when my daughter fell ill. I could use the money for medical expenses,” she said.

But Sunil Bendre, a 43-year-old auto driver from Bhandup, whose wife is a Ladki beneficiary, said that everyday life for his family in the metropolis is difficult because of how costly things are. “You tell me: ₹1,500 a month comes down to ₹50 a day. What do you get in Mumbai for that amount? Maybe four vada pavs from a cart. That is not even food for one day, for one person,” he said.

Anuja, an independent journalist based in Delhi, writes on politics and policy

With Maharashtra gearing up for the assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party has alleged that the Congress party distributed blank copies of the Constitution at an event led by Rahul Gandhi in Nagpur, reported India Today.

According to details, the event’s theme in Nagpur was protecting and upholding the Constitution.

The Maharashtra BJP even posted a video on social media showing the books with the ‘Constitution of India’ written on the front. However, they contained only blank pages except for the preamble on the first page. The video has gone viral on social media.

“Congress wants to erase the Constitution of India like this. All laws written by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar are to be deleted. That is why Rahul Gandhi had predicted that reservation would be cancelled in the interim.

“Remember, respected Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and his constitution is not an election issue but the foundation of life of India and Indians. So the people will teach a lesson to the anti-constitutional Congress,” the Maharashtra BJP tweeted.

Fadnavis hits out at Rahul Gandhi:

Apart from the blank pages row, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hit out at Rahul Gandhi for holding a ‘red book’, which he suggested indicated an inclination towards ‘urban Naxals and anarchists’.

“My allegations made two days back against Rahul Gandhi have proved true about his inclination towards ‘urban Naxals’. He showed the red book and tried seeking help (politically) from urban Naxals and anarchists,” India Today quoted Fadnavis as saying.

“Rahul Gandhi indulges in such drama regularly. He, on a daily basis, insults the Constitution in some or other way,” he added.

Congress replies:

The Maharashtra Congress hit back at the BJP accusing the party of peddling a false narrative. Congress said that the saffron party wants to do away with the Constitution.

“The whole of India knows that BJP and RSS are the enemies of the real constitution, no matter how much they try to spread a false narrative by putting the cover of the Constitution on a blank book,” it said in a post on X.

“BJP’s strategy is to end the Constitution by making false accusations against those who saved the Constitution. But under the leadership of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, the Constitution-loving people of the country will never allow this cunning plan of BJP to succeed,” the party added.

Earlier on Wednesday, at the Samvidhan Samman Sammelan in Nagpur, Rahul Gandhi held a slim copy of the Constitution with a red cover and slammed the BJP and RSS for attacking the Constitution and thereby attacking the ‘voice of the country’.

He even repeated his call for a nationwide caste census and said that the exercise would take place after his party ‘will break the wall of 50 per cent’ reservation limit.

In a major announcement, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil has withdrawn from withdraws from Maharashtra polls 2024. While speaking to reporters, he said that he will not support any contestant or party in the upcoming Maharashtra assembly polls and asked his supporters who had filed nominations to withdraw their candidature.

Speaking to reporters at Antarwali Sarathi village on Monday morning, Jarange said, “After much deliberation, I have decided not to field any candidate in the state. The Maratha community will decide on its own whom to defeat and whom to elect. I have no affiliation to or support for any candidate or political party.”

The activist’s decision to not participate in the electoral process marks a notable shift from his earlier strategy. Earlier, he had identified certain constituencies where he had intended to support or oppose some candidates.

He also informed reporters that he was not under any pressure from either the Mahayuti or MVA. “I am under no pressure from anyone. The community itself will decide whom to support based on their commitment to the Maratha cause,” he said.

Furthermore, he also urged the Maratha community members not to attend any political rally and not be swayed by any party.

“Those who have wronged or harassed the Maratha community should be taught a lesson through the ballot,” he said.

Candidates on whom Manoj Jarange has extended support

On Sunday, he declared his intention to support two candidates from Parvati and Daund in the upcoming elections. These seats are currently occupied by the BJP, a party he has frequently criticised for its stance against Maratha reservations.

Previously, he had mentioned his backing for candidates in Phulambri, Kannad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), Hingoli, Pathari (Parbhani), and Hadgaon (Nanded). He also indicated his goal to unseat sitting MLAs from Bhokardan (Jalna), Gangapur (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), Kalamnuri (Hingoli), Gangakhed, Jintur (Parbhani), and Ausa (Latur), all of whom are part of the Mahayuti coalition.

Maharashtra Assembly elections

Voting will take place in 288 seats of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in a single phase on November 20. The votes will be counted on November 23.

The fight in Maharashtra is considered bipolar between the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is currently in alliance with Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena under the ruling Mahayuti banner. The Shiv Sena (UBT), the NCP (Sharad Pawar) and the Congress are part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance.

Bandra Terminus Stampede: On Sunday, chaos erupted at Bandra railway station in Mumbai when a stampede occurred as passengers hurried to board the Gorakhpur-bound Antyodaya Express. Hitting out at Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said, “Wish the reel minister was a rail minister for once. The incident at Bandra only reflects how incapable the current Railways Minister is.”

Reports indicate that nine people were injured during the incident, highlighting ongoing concerns about passenger safety during peak travel times.

Bandra Terminus Stampede: Political Reactions

Aaditya Thackeray seized the opportunity to criticise Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, stating, “The incident at Bandra only reflects how incapable the current Railways Minister is.” Thackeray further mocked the minister’s focus on promotional activities, suggesting, “Wish the reel minister was a rail minister for once.”

“The BJP has made Ashwini Vaishnav ji, a prabhari for BJP Maharashtra for elections, but every week there are some incidents and accidents that occur with the railways. Such a shame that our country has been forced under such incapable ministers.” Thackeray added.

Thackeray’s sentiments were echoed by MP Sanjay Raut, who accused Vaishnaw of prioritising the bullet train project over the safety of Mumbai passengers. He lamented, “Passengers in Mumbai are being ignored” amidst the ongoing railway incidents.

Bandra Terminus Stampede: Details of the Incident

The stampede took place around 2:45 AM on platform number one as passengers attempted to board the moving train, which was slowly making its way from the Bandra Terminus yard to the platform. According to the Western Railway, “During this time, some passengers on the platform attempted to board the moving train, leading to an accident where two passengers fell and got injured.”

Despite the Western Railway reporting only two injuries, local authorities, including the Mumbai disaster control cell, confirmed that nine individuals suffered injuries during the rush.

Bandra Terminus Stampede: Injuries and Ongoing Treatment

Among those injured are Shabhir Abdul Rehman (40), Parmeshwar Sukhdar Gupta (28), Ravindra Harihar Chuma (30), Ramsevak Ravindra Prasad Prajapati (29), Sanjay Tilakram Kangay (27), Divyanshu Yogendra Yadav (18), Mohammad Shareef Shaikh (25), Indrajith Sahani (19), and Noor Mohammad Shaikh (18). Reports indicate that Sahani and Noor Mohammad Sheikh are in critical condition and receiving treatment at Bhabha Hospital.

Bandra Terminus Stampede: Safety Warnings and Festival Travel

In light of the incident and the upcoming Diwali and Chhath festivals, the Western Railway is operating over 130 special trains to accommodate the surge in passenger numbers, especially towards Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

However, the railway authorities have urged travellers to adhere to safety protocols: “Passengers are advised not to board or alight from moving trains, as it is dangerous.”

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, has reportedly expressed his disappointment over the alleged ‘favouritism’ in the suggested list of Congress leaders for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections 2024, scheduled on November 20.

Of the 85 seats that the Congress is contesting, the party has released the names of 48 candidates for the upcoming Assembly polls. Rahul Gandhi highlighted that the list of candidate names submitted in the Congress Election Committee (CEC) meeting appeared to “favour” certain Maharashtra Congress leaders, India Today reported some sources as saying.

Rahul Gandhi also questioned about the allocation of certain Congress strongholds to Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena in areas such as Vidarbha and Mumbai as part of the seat-sharing agreement of the Maha Vikas Aghadi(MVA) alliance.

The MVA alliance comprises of Congress, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP), who reached a consensus of contesting 85 seats each, in the polls.

The Uddhav Sena has declared candidates for 65 seats, while Congress has named candidates for 48 seats, and the NCP has announced candidates for 45 seats.

According to the UBT’s first list, Uddhav Thackeray’s son Aaditya Thackeray would be contesting the polls from Mumbai’s Worli. Meanwhile Kedar Dighe, the nephew of late Shiv Sena leader Anand Dighe, has been fielded from Thane’s Kopri-Panchpakhadi seat, where CM Eknath Shinde is in the fray. Other key names include Rajan Vichare who is contesting from the Thane seat, and Varun Sardesai from Bandra East.

Maharashtra Assembly Polls: Seat sharing tussle

While Congress’s Wadettiwar may have announced that ‘the problem of seat sharing has been resolved’, the tussle is still underway on 18 of the 288 seats as Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi threatened to field candidates on 25 seats if the opposition alliance failed to keep aside five seats for his party’s candidates. The Samajwadi Party is also a part of the MVA.

The results for the election to 288-member Maharashtra Assembly will be declared on November 23.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced it may contest a few seats in next month’s Maharashtra assembly elections. Led by Arvind Kejriwal, AAP is part of the opposition’s INDIA bloc. In Maharashtra, three constituents of this bloc—Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP)—are competing under the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) banner against the ruling Mahayuti alliance.

Addressing a press conference at Kudal in Maharashtra’s coastal Sindhudurg district on Friday, AAP’s Goa unit president Amit Palekar said his party is working on strengthening its base in the Konkan belt, particularly in Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri districts, and also in Kolhapur in western Maharashtra, PTI reported.

The party has grown substantially in the Konkan belt, as the local population is looking at alternatives to BJP’s Union minister Narayan Rane and his “politics of vendetta”, he said.

“The AAP stands strongly with the INDIA bloc allies for the November 20 Maharashtra elections but if political developments permit, then the party may stake claim on a couple of seats where it is in a winnable position,” Palekar said. “There is a lot of pressure from the local party workers in Kolhapur as well as Sindhudurg to field party candidates for the upcoming elections,” he said. 

Palekar, who is the party’s Sindhudurg district in-charge, said the residents of Konkan were respectful and cannot tolerate Rane family’s “language of arrogance”.

“Clean and honest politics is the need of the hour and only dedicated politicians can do it,” he noted.

Elections for the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly are set to take place in a single phase on November 20, with vote counting scheduled for November 23.

Eknath Shinde became Chief Minister in June 2022 after a split in the Shiv Sena and has navigated various challenges while leading the coalition government. His journey from starting as a rickshaw driver to reaching the highest political office in Maharashtra is considered a remarkable underdog story.

Ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly Elections on November 20, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, on Friday, said he will speak to Rahul Gandhi, to finalise the seat sharing for Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in Maharashtra ahead of the Assembly elections. The leader said there were many seats on which decisions were pending.

Speaking of leaders who he says are not capable of taking decisions, Sanjay Raut said, “They have to send the list to Delhi again and again. Now that time has passed. We want this decision to be taken as soon as possible.” He said, “Most of the leaders of Maharashtra are not capable of taking decisions.”

On Thursday, the three Maha Vikas Aghadi allies: Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and Nationalist Congress Party (SP) arrived at a consensus on 200 assembly seats, out of the total 288 seats in Maharashtra. The Congress is looking to contest 110-120 seats, while the Shiv Sena (UBT) wants 90-100 and NCP (SP) is eyeing around 80 seats.

‘No major difference of opinion’

Sanjay Raut also said that while there is “no major difference of opinion between NCP and Shiv Sena, not even in Congress,” there were still some seats which all the three allies wanted to claim. The leader added that Nana Patole, the Congress President in Maharashtra was an ally, and that the seat sharing deadlock would be resolved soon.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi, comprising the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) is fighting against the ruling Shinde led Shiv Sena, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and NCP’s Mahayuti alliance. 

Maharahstra Assembly Election 2024 marks the first polls in the state after the Shiv Sena and NCP parties split in June 2022 and July 2023 respectively.

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Maharashtra Dussehra rally: Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday launched a scathing attack on each other’s parties while addressing separate Dussehra rallies in Mumbai.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) rally was held at Shivaji Park while the Ekanth Shinde’s rally at Azad Maidan.

Holding their respective rallies, both Thackeray and Shinde set the tone for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly polls.

Both the leaders also claimed that the real Shiv Sena belongs to them.

While claiming that they freed Shiv Sena from those who betrayed Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideals, Eknath Shinde said that earlier everyone thought that the Shinde government would fall in 2–3 months. However, the government completed 2 years. “If the (Maha Vikas Aghadi) government had not been removed, Maharashtra would have been left far behind,” claimed Shinde. Whereas, taking a swipe at the BJP and the Shinde government, Thackeray said that he is ready to fight against the Delhi rule and ‘corrupt’ government.

What Uddhav Said:

— BJP is like Kauravas, smacks of arrogance.

— Parted ways with BJP as I don’t believe in its version of Hindutva.

— BJP should be ashamed of calling itself Bharatiya, it no longer belongs to people.

— I am ready to fight against this Delhi rule and corrupt government.

— Ratan Tata had the legacy of his father and I have the legacy of my father Balasaheb Thackeray. “We are the real Shiv Sena and Balasaheb Thackeray’s name is with me.”

— Will build temple of Chhatrapati Shivaji in every Maharashtra district when we come to power.

“It (Mahayuti government) built the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj only for votes and that statue collapsed, but I want to tell you and promise you that when we come to power, we will build a temple of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in every district of Maharashtra. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a vote bank for them, but for us he is God.”

What Eknath Shinde Said

— MVA’s Lok Sabha poll success in Maharashtra accidental, not permanent.

— Shiv Sena won 7 seats in direct fight against Sena (UBT) in Lok Sabha polls which shows we are real Shiv Sena.

— Our government started the Dharavi project and I want to tell the people of Dharavi that no matter what the opposition says, our government is going to give you good houses.

— “Earlier Babu (Uddhav Thackeray) used to wake up, take a bath and go live on Facebook. People never liked Babu’s leadership, that’s why people brought down his government,” reported ANI quoting Shinde.

— Mahayuti government is going to be formed in Maharashtra.

— I thank the Prime Minister for giving Marathi the status of a classical language.

Indian actor Sayaji Shinde joined Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Friday. The addition of the famous actor is likely to benefit the party in the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections.

Sayaji Shinde has been featured in several Bollywood and Tollywood films. After joining the party, Shinde mentioned that he had never planned to join politics but had always been impressed with NCP’s Ajit Pawar’s strategies. The Indian film industry’s actor had earlier praised the Maharashtra government’s Ladki-Bahin scheme.

“I never thought I would join politics. My decision may also be a shock for many. If I have gone to Mantralaya for 25 times, at least 15 times I met Ajit Pawar. I have liked the strategies of the NCP-Ajit Pawar,” said the actor after joining the party.

Sayaji Shinde joined the political party in the presence of Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, working president of the party Praful Patel, and state NCP chief Sunil Tatkare.

Maharashtra deputy CM Pawar welcomed Sayaji Shinde into the political party and announced him as the star campaigner of the NCP during the upcoming state assembly elections. “Shinde will be given due respect in the party,” PTI quoted Ajit Pawar as saying.

“We feel proud that he is being associated with us. Shinde is also a social activist,” said NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal while welcoming the actor into the party.

Sayaji Shinde is a versatile actor whose work is not limited to any specific language. He has worked in films in several Indian languages, including Hindi, Marathi, and Telugu.

Need to be a part of the system to work more effectively, says Shinde

The 65-year-old Shinde applauded Ajit Pawar’s style of functioning and said joining politics would help him work more effectively. “I was impressed by Ajit Pawar’s style of functioning,” the actor said, adding that he interacted with Pawar when working for his favourite cause of tree plantation.

Sayaji Shinde was born in Maharashtra’s Satara district and started his career in Marathi theatre. He achieved his first milestone in the Bollywood industry when he played the role of an antagonist in Hindi film “Shool” released in 1999. Apart from acting in several Marathi and Hindi movies, Sayaji Shinde has also worked in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, English, Gujarati and Bhojpuri films.

In addition to being a versatile actor, Shinde is also a social activist who has also worked for spreading awareness related to environment protection.