Maharashtra election likely in 2nd week of November: CM
What's the story
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced that the state assembly election is likely to be held in the second week of November. The 288-member assembly will be contested, with Shinde expressing a preference for a two-phase polling process. The incumbent Mahayuti alliance, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena led by Shinde, and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), is expected to finalize its seat-sharing agreement within the next eight to 10 days.
Political contest
Mahayuti alliance to face opposition from Maha Vikas Aghadi
The Mahayuti alliance, currently leading the government, will be challenged by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The MVA is an opposition coalition that includes the Indian National Congress, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar), and Shiv Sena (UBT) led by former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. In the recent Lok Sabha election, the MVA secured 30 out of 48 Parliamentary seats in Maharashtra. The MVA were ahead of Mahayuti in 153 assembly seats compared to their rival's 126.
Independent contenders
MNS, VBA's role in upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections
The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has declared its intention to contest independently for 200 to 250 seats. In the previous assembly elections of 2019, the MNS secured just one seat. The Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), which managed a 5.5% vote share in the last assembly polls, has also exited from the opposition bloc after seat-sharing talks failed. Their decision about fielding candidates will be known as election dates are announced.
Campaign promises
Mahayuti's campaign strategy
The Mahayuti government is relying on the announcement of various schemes, particularly financial assistance under the government's Ladki Bahin scheme, to secure votes. CM Shinde has stated that if people give a "bigger mandate" to the ruling Mahayuti, the government would double the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme's monthly financial assistance amount to ₹3,000. On the other hand, MVA has been criticizing government on several issues including law and order and safety of women.