The stage is set for the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, with voters heading to the polls on November 20 to elect members for the 288-seat legislature. Over 4,000 candidates are in the fray, including more than 2,000 independents, making this a fiercely contested election. The results will be declared on November 23, three days after polling concludes.

The Political Landscape

The elections are a high-stakes battle between the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The Mahayuti includes the BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). On the other side, the MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction), and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP.

While the ruling coalition banks on its popular welfare schemes, including the Majhi Ladki Bahin initiative aimed at empowering women, the opposition has focused on social justice, caste-based census demands, and economic issues like unemployment and inflation.

Campaign Dynamics

The campaign trail witnessed fiery exchanges, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra urging voters to participate in large numbers. Notably, slogans like Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath’s “Batenge toh katenge” and PM Modi’s “Ek hai toh safe hai” sparked controversy. Even within the BJP-led alliance, leaders like Ajit Pawar distanced themselves from the rhetoric, leading to public clarifications by Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.

Major Concerns for Voters

Surveys conducted by Lokniti-CSDS and MIT-SOG between September 21 and October 6, 2024, revealed the top voter concerns:

• Unemployment (24%)
• Inflation (22%)
• Agricultural distress, particularly low minimum support prices (MSPs) and rising input costs.

Additionally, the demand for caste-based reservations has created tension, especially between the Maratha and OBC communities. Rural voters have expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of these issues.

Administrative Preparations

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has set up 1,00,186 polling stations across 52,789 locations to facilitate voting for approximately 9.7 crore eligible voters. Among these, 388 “pink booths” are exclusively managed by women, showcasing an effort to promote inclusivity.

Key Electoral Battles

One of the most closely watched contests is between Aaditya Thackeray of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress leader Milind Deora, symbolizing the larger ideological clash between the two alliances. Other significant battles are likely to feature prominent state leaders from both camps.

Challenges for the Incumbent Government

The ruling coalition faces criticism over several issues:

• The deteriorating law and order situation, highlighted by NCP leader Baba Siddique’s death and a police encounter with a rape accused in Badlapur.
• The opposition’s emphasis on economic hardship and social justice, resonating with voters disillusioned by rising costs and unemployment.

What Lies Ahead

As the countdown to polling day begins, Maharashtra stands at a crossroads. The election outcome will not only decide the state’s leadership but also signal broader political trends ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. With a record number of candidates and rising public grievances, the stakes are higher than ever.

The political tussle between the Mahayuti and MVA alliances promises a dramatic finish as voters prepare to make their voices heard.