Thursday, 05 Dec, 2024
By: Damini Mehta
Source: PTI
The 2024 polls are further complicated by factionalism within the major parties. The NCP and Shiv Sena have split, with each faction vying for control over their respective bases. This will determine which faction holds the most sway in the upcoming elections.
The Maharashtra Assembly elections 2024 are set to take place on November 20, with the results being announced on November 23. These elections are poised to be crucial, coming right after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP showed signs of losing ground in Maharashtra. The political landscape is largely bipolar in terms of alliance, with the ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, facing off against the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT), the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP, and the Congress. However, the elections present an interesting dynamic with factions of the same parties contesting hotly on opposite sides.
The 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections marked a significant political shift. In the 288-seat Legislative Assembly, the BJP secured 105 seats, while its ally Shiv Sena, under Uddhav Thackeray, won 56 seats. The Congress bagged 44 seats, and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP secured 54 seats. The MVA emerged victorious with 154 seats, forming the government initially. However, political turmoil led to the Shiv Sena’s split and a realignment, with Eknath Shinde’s faction forming an alliance with the BJP, which later came to power.
The 2024 polls are further complicated by factionalism within the major parties. The NCP and Shiv Sena have split, with each faction vying for control over their respective bases. This will determine which faction holds the most sway in the upcoming elections. Sharad Pawar, at 84, is facing one of the most critical challenges of his career, with his party divided, while Uddhav Thackeray's future as the leader of Shiv Sena hinges on his ability to rally the party despite the split with Shinde’s faction.
Voter turnout will be a key factor in these elections, with more than 9.7 crore registered voters, including over 47,000 centenarians. The state has a diverse electorate, with Marathas—around 28% of the population—playing a crucial role in shaping the outcome. The demand for Maratha reservation has been a hot-button issue, which will likely influence voter decisions. Additionally, economic issues such as agrarian distress and unemployment are expected to feature prominently in the campaigns.
In the run-up to the elections, both alliances have been engaged in intense campaigning. The BJP, riding high on its central government’s popularity, has pledged to address key issues like the Maratha reservation and to boost Maharashtra’s development. On the other hand, the MVA has been critical of the BJP’s governance, citing the failure to address unemployment and economic inequalities.
The outcome of these elections will not only decide the next government in Maharashtra but will also provide crucial insights into the political trajectory of both the BJP and the opposition. A strong performance by the BJP could consolidate its power in the state, particularly after the party's mixed results in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where it secured just 9 of 28 seats, a sharp decline from its 2019 tally of 23 seats. Conversely, a strong showing by the MVA could signal a resurgence of regional parties.
With voting scheduled in 234 general constituencies and 54 reserved seats, including those for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, the November 20 election will be a significant marker of Maharashtra’s political future, potentially reshaping the national political landscape as well.
