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

Ajit Pawar says there is “absolutely” no chance of him rejoining his uncle Sharad Pawar in the future.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar politically broke away from his uncle Sharad Pawar almost a year ago. His claims on the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and its symbol were accepted by the Election Commission but the matter is now with the Supreme Court. He contested as a partner of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Lok Sabha election and could win one seat out of four. This time, in the State Assembly election, Ajit’s party is contesting 55 seats. He believes that the Mahayuti has improved its election position in the last four months and is going to win this election. He spoke to Frontline during his campaign in Marathwada. Excerpts.

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NEW DELHI: Mahayuti leaders, including Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde, on Wednesday shared videos of their bags being checked by poll body officials in response to Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray‘s criticism of the Election Commission.
Sharing a video on X, NCP chief Ajit Pawar wrote: “Today, while on my way for election campaigning, the Election Commission conducted a routine check of my bags and helicopter. I fully cooperated and believe that such measures are essential to ensure free and fair elections.”
“Let us all respect the law and support efforts to uphold the integrity of our democracy,” the NCP chief wrote.

The bags of chief minister Eknath Shinde being checked by the poll officials was also shared by Shiv Sena. The party said Shinde’s bags were checked at Palghar Police ground helipad when he reached for the election campaign.

Ramdas Athawale’s party, which is a BJP ally, also shared video of party chief’s frisking video in Pune.
Earlier in the day, BJP shared a video of its leader Devendra Fadnavis being checked at an airport, saying it was a normal procedure ahead of the election.
The frisking by poll officials became the latest flashpoint in Maharashtra after UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray’s bags were checked twice in Yavatmal and Latur.
Criticising the EC, Uddhav asked if the election authorities would also inspect the bags of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders.
The sources in the Election Commission, however, told PTI that aircraft and helicopters of top leaders across political spectrum are checked as part of standard operating procedure.
They said in the previous polls too, planes and helicopters of BJP president JP Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah were checked.
“There have been strict SOPs followed by enforcement agencies for a level playing field. During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a similar issue was raised in Bihar and it was clarified that the helicopters of prominent leaders, including Nadda was checked in district Bhagalpur on April 24 and Shah in district Katihar on April 21 were also checked as per SOP,” a functionary pointed out.
The sources also recalled the statement of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar during the announcement of ongoing assembly elections that directions have been given to the enforcement agencies to ensure checking of helicopters of all leaders for a level playing field.

The MP says that the people of Maharashtra know that the Mahayuti government won’t provide employment opportunities.
| Photo Credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI

The Mumbai Congress chief and Member of Parliament, Varsha Gaikwad speaks to Frontline about the issues facing the city, the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi campaign’s focus for the upcoming State Assembly election, and how this election will determine ideological perspectives. Gaikwad also discusses the rampant unemployment in the State, the Dharavi redevelopment project, the MVA’s alliance partners, and more. 

Also Read | We’re Ahead by 2 Lakh Votes in Mumbai: BJP’s Ashish Shelar on Dharavi, Development, & Elections

Also Read | I would say ‘absolute majority’ for the Mahayuti: Sunil Tatkare

In this candid conversation with Frontline, Ashish Shelar, the Mumbai BJP chief and former Minister, discusses his party’s strategy and vision for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly election. Shelar discusses several contentious issues, including the BJP’s relationship with former ally Uddhav Thackeray, the controversial Dharavi redevelopment project, and the party’s electoral prospects in Mumbai’s 36 Assembly seats. Shelar articulates the BJP’s development-focussed agenda while addressing challenges from the opposition Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance.

The conversation also touches on sensitive issues such as religious polarisation and the changing political dynamics in Maharashtra’s capital city. Shelar defends his party’s positions while critiquing the leadership and performance of former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, particularly regarding Mumbai’s infrastructure development. Edited excerpts:

Also Read | Maharashtra Assembly election: Is Mahayuti back in the game?

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Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant issued apology on November 2 over his alleged ‘imported maal’ remark against Shiv Sena’s Mumbadevi candidate Shaina N C. While mentioning that he was being “deliberately targeted,” he said that intention was never to insult a woman.

Accusing his opponents of attempting to tarnish his reputation he alleged that his statements were “interpreted differently.” The apology comes a day after the Shiv Sena leader made derogatory statements against the female candidate. He said, “Some allegations have been made against me for the past few days. A complaint has been lodged against me in this regard. We will never insult women,” ANI reported.

A controversy erupted on November 1 after Arvind Sawant asserted that Shaina N C was a BJP member all her life and decided to make a shift until recently. Arvind Sawant’s remark that stirred controversy states, “Imported ‘maal’ doesn’t work here; only original ‘maal’ does.” Justifying his stance, Arvind Sawant alleged that an atmosphere is being created that he has insulted a woman. In the apology he said that that he is he wants to apologise if his “statement hurt anyone’s feelings.”

He added, “I am being deliberately targeted by giving a different meaning, I am sad about this but still, if my statement has hurt anyone’s feelings then I express regret. The respect of women in the country cannot be seen according to the party,” ANI quoted Arvind Sawant as saying.

Meanwhile, condemning Arvind Sawant’s “imported maal” remark, Shaina NC emphasised that objectification of women, and outraging the modesty of women is not a small problem. Shaina NC informed that she filed an FIR at the Nagpada police station on Friday evening. Charges have been levied against the Shiv Sena (UBT) under Sections 79 and 356(2) outraging the modesty of women. Additionally. Election Commission and Women Commission has taken cognizance of the matter.

After facing backlash over his remarks, Arvind Sawant defended himself and claimed that he did not mention Shaina N C’s name. As the countdown to Maharashtra Assembly election begins, which are scheduled for November 20, the political climate is heating up in the state. The vote counting for all 288 constituencies will take place on November 23.

NEW DELHI: The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction on Sunday announced Milind Deora, former Congress MP and now a Rajya Sabha member, as its candidate to challenge incumbent MLA Aaditya Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT) in Mumbai’s Worli constituency.
Deora had earlier hinted the same by stating on social media, “Justice for Worli and Worlikars is long overdue. Together, we’re paving the way forward… It’s Worli now!” The seat, traditionally a Shiv Sena stronghold, is now emerging as a focal point for the Mahayuti alliance’s strategy. Both the BJP and the Shinde Sena had expressed interest in contesting the high-profile seat, but the Mahayuti decided it would be fielded by a Sena candidate, ultimately settling on Deora.
Aaditya Thackeray, the first Thackeray family member to run for office in 2019, previously secured the Worli seat by defeating NCP’s Suresh Mane by a landslide margin. However, the recent 2024 Lok Sabha results saw Sena (UBT) candidate Arvind Sawant win with a much slimmer lead of just over 6,700 votes from this constituency, suggesting a potential shift in the political dynamics within Worli.
The contest in Worli will not be a straightforward one, as Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s (MNS) Sandeep Deshpande has also entered the race, making it a three-way battle akin to the neighbouring Mahim constituency, where Sena, Sena (UBT), and MNS candidates are all vying for dominance. Deora, son of late Congress leader Murli Deora, is a seasoned politician with two terms as Congress MP for Mumbai South and has been a prominent voice in Maharashtra politics. Deora joined the Shinde-led Sena faction earlier this year after resigning from Congress, a move which later saw him nominated to the Rajya Sabha.
In recent months, BJP spokesperson Shaina NC had been actively campaigning in the Worli constituency and had expressed interest in contesting from the seat on a Sena ticket. However, internal conflicts within the BJP reportedly led to the decision to pass the seat to a Shiv Sena candidate under the Mahayuti arrangement.
The upcoming elections are expected to be contentious, as both sides seek to capitalise on Worli’s recent development and Aaditya’s achievements over his three years in office. In an emotional letter to his constituency last year, Aaditya had hit out at rival parties for “indulging in dirty politics and betrayal,” accusing the Shinde faction of using underhanded tactics in their campaigns.

Full list of Shinde faction:

In addition to Deora’s candidacy in Worli, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) fielded other key candidates, including Sanjay Nirupam from the Dindoshi Assembly constituency and Nilesh N Rane from the Kudal Assembly constituency.

The Shiv Sena insisted on Thursday that former NCB chief Sameer Wankhede will not be contesting the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections on a party ticket. The assertion came amid speculative reports suggesting that he would be fielded as a candidate from Dharavi in Mumbai.

“The news reports about Sameer Wankhede contesting the upcoming Maharashtra assembly election from Dharavi or any other seat, on a Shiv Sena ticket are pure conjecture and a work of fiction. There is no such proposal before the party,” Shiv Sena sources told ANI.

The remarks came after several news reports quoted sources to indicate that the Shiv Sena was mulling a ticket for Wankhede. Assembly elections in Maharashtra will be held in a single phase on November 20. The results will be declared later that week on November 23.

The ex-Mumbai zonal director of the Narcotics Control Bureau remains under the scanner for several alleged financial irregularities. He had led the team that arrested Aryan Khan (the son of actor Shah Rukh Khan) on drug-related charges in 2021.

He was booked by the CBI in May last year on charges of seeking ₹25-crore bribe for not framing Khan in the drugs-on-cruise case. The Enforcement Directorate had subsequently opened a money laundering case against the former IRS officer in connection with the bribery charges. The central agency has booked the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced at a press conference earlier this week that votes would be counted on November 23 — a day before the current Maharashtra assembly completes its term. The key contenders in the elections are the ruling Mahayuti Alliance, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition, comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Congress.

(With inputs from agencies)

Malwan: A Shivaji statue inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, collapsed on August 26, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

When the statue of King Shivaji collapsed within eight months after it was unveiled in Maharashtra by the Prime Minister, the political wrangling began. The politics underlines the fact that it was not just a statue that fell, it reflects the fraying fabric of a State.

On December 4, 2023, Narendra Modi visited Malwan city in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, where the Indian Navy celebrated its Navy Day. He spoke endlessly about the Maratha empire’s founder. Shivaji is inextricably linked to identity in Maharashtra. The statue reportedly cost Maharashtra government Rs.2.36 crore and it was installed by the Navy.

On August 26, 2024, when the statue fell, videos and photos went viral. Shivaji’s followers were livid. The State and Centre came under fire. Understanding the gravity of the situation, two ministers from the State cabinet, Ravindra Chavan and Deepak Kesarkar rushed to the location. Chavan is the guardian minister of Sindhudurg as well as the Minister for the Public Works Department. The Department had given the tender to the artist Jaydeep Apte.

As people started researching about the artist Apte, they found that he is inexperienced in building a statue of 25 feet. In an interview with a Marathi newspaper, just after Modi unveiled the statue, Apte said that he had no experience and had been making statues of two to four feet. So how did such an ill-experienced artist bag the tender? The buzz is that Apte is close to some of the right-wing organisations from Kalyan City. Chavan is from the Kalyan Dombivali municipal council area. The questions of favouritism are now being raised.

Also Read | Modi’s Mission Maharashtra

Apte said that he made this statue within a record time of a few months. The haste is being linked to Modi’s attempt to cover the ground ahead of the election.

The opposition slammed the governments for being corrupt, insensitive, and negligent on such an important issue. Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA), the opposition alliance, demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The statements from the ruling side were bizarre, to say the least. Shinde, while condemning the falling of the statue, said, “The district collector has told me that there was a high-speed wind of 45 km/hr when the statue fell.” But in the coastal Konkan area, a wind speed of 45 km/hr wind is not considered high speed. Shivanand Bhanuse, the spokesperson of Sambhaji Brigade, an organisation of mainly Maratha community youth, told Frontline, “Shinde’s statement is a joke. This kind of wind speed is very normal. Instead of giving such reasons, he should have apologised.”

Not just Shinde, his cabinet colleague and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also made bizarre claims. He said, “An artist and Navy could not have anticipated the speed and the saltiness of winds in the coastal area.” Fadnavis was called out by the Congress leader Satej Patil for this statement. “We expect better answers from Devendra Fadnavis. Do not undermine the Navy for your faults. We are confident of the Navy’s work quality. It is your government who has messed up things,” said Patil.

Deepak Kesarkar, who is Minister for Primary Education and also chief spokesperson for Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena said, “This has happened because there must be something good coming up. We will build a 100-foot-tall statue in the same place.” This was criticised by everyone. Ulka Mahajan, State co-ordinator of Bharat Jodo Abhiyan, a civil society political initiative said, “The entire government has lost all sensitivity. They just think in numbers. You could not raise a 30-foot statue, why are you talking about a 100-ft one? To be more corrupt in the next tender?”

Also Read | Can the two Aghadis join hands in Maharashtra?

The only leader from the ruling side, who understood the gravity of the situation, and took a sensible stand was Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar. He publicly apologised for the incident and said that in the coming days, these shortcomings will be fulfilled with a new and strong statue raised at the same location. “I apologised for the unfortunate incident to all the people of Maharashtra. The mistake will be rectified very soon and all the culprits will face the punishment,” reads Shelar’s statement.

Meanwhile, it has also come to the fore that the PWD’s local assistant engineer wrote to the Navy in the third week of August, telling them about the dilapidated condition of the statue and the urgent need to repair it. The statue was in possession of the Indian Navy. Also, the State government has announced the forming of a technical committee with the Navy to assess the reasons of the collapse. The artist and the consultant of the statue are booked under attempt to murder. Both are absconding.

The Maharashtra Assembly election is around the corner. As ruling leaders make controversial statements, the Opposition MVA has sensed the political opportunity and gave a call for a ‘Malwan Bandh’ on August 28. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader Jayant Patil led the rally in Malwan. To oppose them, BJP’s local leadership also hit the streets. To make it a Statewide movement, the MVA has also given a call to ‘throw the shoes protest’ on September 1 and 2. It shows the matter is not going to rest for a while. 

Shivaji built the Sea Fort Sindhudurg in 1667. It is still standing in the middle of the sea, despite many storms and monsoon. People across the caste and the religious beliefs worship him.