Maharashtra Assembly Elections set for November 20: ECI

Unemployment, small business struggle & farmer discontent dominate elections

Politics

October 15, 2024

/ By / New Delhi

Maharashtra Assembly Elections set for November 20: ECI

As Maharashtra heads into the assembly elections, the urgent issues of unemployment, farmer discontent and small business struggles will significantly influence voter decisions

Maharashtra's assembly elections have been announced for November 20, setting the stage for a crucial political contest between the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi.

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With the announcement of Maharashtra‘s assembly elections for November 20, the political landscape is charged with anticipation. This election will witness a pivotal battle between the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, as both sides aim to capture the hearts and votes of the electorate.

The elections are crucial for both the alliances, not only because Maharashtra is one of the largest and richest states in the country, but also because the opposition alliance scored massive upset over the ruling alliance in the Lok Sabha elections held earlier this year, bagging 30 of the 48 seats up for grabs.

The current government, a coalition known as the Mahayuti, is led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and the NCP-Ajit Pawar faction. With 288 seats at stake, the election is poised to be a significant political contest between the ruling alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, the NCP led by Sharad Pawar and the Congress.

In the 2019 elections, the BJP and the undivided Shiv Sena had formed a powerful coalition that brought them to power. However, the political dynamics shifted in 2022, leading to the current ruling alliance. The MVA, on the other hand, is regrouping to challenge the incumbent government, focusing on the key issues that resonate with the electorate.

As the assembly elections approach, the agricultural sector remains a critical focus, especially given the influence of farmers as a voting bloc. The challenges faced by farmers often also extend to the small business sector, where many entrepreneurs rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. The economic pressures affecting farmers such as fluctuating prices, inadequate support, and rising costs also affect small business owners who provide goods and services to this vital industry. Centre has introduced measures to bolster the exports of specific agricultural products while imposing restrictions on vegetable oil imports. This decision reflects the government’s awareness of the significant influence farmers wield as a voting bloc.

“We farmers are facing numerous challenges, from rising costs to inadequate support from the government. We need leaders who genuinely understand our struggles and can provide sustainable solutions,” Rajesh Patil, a 56-year-old farmer of Katol in Nagpur, tells Media India Group.

The rising number of suicides among self-employed individuals in Maharashtra has become a critical concern, with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reporting 1,610 cases in 2020, up from 1,289 in 2019. This troubling statistic highlights the urgent need for political candidates to address the economic struggles faced by small business owners and provide adequate support to this vital segment of the population.

“It is heartbreaking to see so many of my fellow entrepreneurs lose hope. We invest our dreams into our businesses and when they fail, it feels like everything is lost. As a small business owner, I can tell you that the last few years have been incredibly challenging. We need tangible support from the government, not just promises. Many of us have invested our life savings into our businesses and the lack of proper financial aid and supportive policies is pushing us to the brink. It is not just about survival, it is about hope and sustainability. We require easy access to loans, subsidies and training programmes to help us adapt to the changing market. Moreover, the government should create policies that prioritise local businesses over large corporations. We are the backbone of this economy and our success directly affects our communities. If we don’t receive the help we desperately need, I fear many more will face despair, and we will continue to see tragic outcomes. We need action now before it is too late,” Anjali Joshi, 43-year-old, a small business owner at Mawal in Pune, tells Media India Group.

The struggles of small business owners in Maharashtra reflect a broader issue of unemployment, which stood at 15 pc in 2022 significantly higher than the 11 pc, recorded a decade ago. As the election approaches, the rising unemployment rate has become a focal point for voters, particularly among the youth who are eager for change. Many young people feel disillusioned by the lack of job opportunities and are demanding actionable plans from political candidates.

“I completed my degree with high hopes for a bright future, but the job market is daunting. Every day, I send out countless applications, yet I receive little to no response. We need our leaders to acknowledge this crisis and come up with real solutions—like creating jobs that align with our skills and aspirations. If they truly want our support in the elections, they must prioritise youth employment and invest in programmes that can help us get back on our feet,” Apoorva Singh, a 23-year-old recent graduate from Mumbai, tells Media India Group.

Girish Kulkarni

Girish Kulkarni

Girish Kulkarni, a political science professor from Ahmednagar in Maharashtra, shares his concerns about the pressing issues that he believes should be the focus of the upcoming elections. He highlights the socio-economic challenges, rural neglect, and the complexities of caste dynamics that may shape the political landscape this time around.

“As the largest geographical district in Maharashtra, Ahmednagar faces significant challenges that demand immediate attention, both economically and socially. Despite these issues, I fear that the election narrative will once again be driven by caste rather than genuine development. The ongoing Maratha Andolan has left a deep impact on the people here, and as much as I understand the ground sentiment, many Marathas may not even cast their votes this time. This could have serious repercussions on the election outcomes. We continue to see villages without basic amenities like electricity and water, and an increasing number of farmer suicides, yet voters still lean heavily on caste-based decisions over real development or government schemes. In an ideal scenario, policies aimed at rural upliftment and women’s welfare would take precedence, but the reality is starkly different. With rising crime rates and social unrest, it is clear that the promises of progress have not reached the common people. This election, like many before it, is likely to be dictated by caste politics rather than any meaningful focus on issues that truly matter to the people,” Kulkarni tells Media India Group.
As Maharashtra heads into the assembly elections, the urgent issues of unemployment, farmer discontent and small business struggles will significantly influence voter decisions. The outcome will reflect the electorate’s demand for accountability and effective solutions from their leaders, shaping the state’s future and its economic landscape.

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