Following the trend seen in Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, where cash-transfer schemes for women were pivotal, both alliances in Maharashtra are working to attract women voters. The ruling Mahayuti alliance recently announced the “Ladki Bahin” scheme, which promises ₹1,500 per month for women from BPL families. In its manifesto, the alliance pledged to increase this financial aid to ₹2,100 monthly.
“We announce an increase in the financial aid given to women under the Ladki Bahin Yojana from the existing ₹1,500 to ₹2,100 (per month). It shows that whatever we say, we do. We have also put stress on women safety in the manifesto, and decided to induct 25,000 women in the police department,” Chief Miniter Eknath Shinde stated.
The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance has promised ₹3,000 per month for women under the “Mahalakshmi Scheme” and free travel on state transport buses.
Out of Maharashtra’s 9.53 crore voters, 4.60 crore are women, nearly 50% of the electorate, making them a crucial factor in this election.
Farmers are another priority group, and both alliances have pledged loan waivers. Mahayuti has promised loan forgiveness without burdening the state budget, along with increasing Shetkari Sanman Yojana aid from ₹12,000 to ₹15,000 and providing a 20% subsidy on the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
“We will increase the amount under the Shetkari Sanman Yojana from ₹12,000 to ₹15,000. Besides, there will be a subsidy of 20% on the MSP,” CM Shinde said.
The MVA, on the other hand, has promised a loan waiver of up to ₹3 lakh and an incentive of ₹50,000 for timely repayment of crop loans under the Krishi Sammruddhi Yojana.
Youth voters are also a focus, with 1.85 crore aged between 20-29 and 20.93 lakh first-time voters aged 18-19, according to the Election Commission. The Mahayuti has pledged to create 25 lakh jobs, while the MVA has offered an allowance of ₹4,000 per month for unemployed youth.
The Mahayuti further promised to increase financial aid for senior citizens from ₹1,500 to ₹2,100, improve rural roads, provide a monthly honorarium and health cover to Anganwadi and ASHA workers, reduce power bills by 30%, and promote solar energy.
Among other guarantees, the MVA has committed to providing health insurance coverage up to ₹25 lakh, free medicine, conducting a caste census, and lifting the 50% cap on reservations if elected to power at the national level.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi advocated for the caste census, arguing that while Dalits make up 15% and tribals 8% of the population, exact figures for backward classes are unknown. “When the INDIA alliance forms the government in Delhi, we will remove the 50% barrier on reservations… The Constitution is not just a book; it embodies the ideology of our national icons and the voice of the people,” he said.
Maharashtra’s election sees a direct contest between the BJP-Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde)-NCP (Ajit Pawar) alliance and the Congress-Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray)-NCP (Sharad Pawar) coalition. Voting is scheduled for November 20, with results to be announced on November 23.
