As Maharashtra and Jharkhand get ready for their poll verdict, the spotlight is on pre-election freebies. Maharashtra has announced schemes like toll waivers, free LPG cylinders, and cash transfers to woo voters. Jharkhand, with a history of revenue surplus, faces the challenge of balancing optimistic revenue projections against delivering on ambitious promises. While these initiatives aim to secure voter support, experts warn of significant economic risks. Analysts highlight that pre-election giveaways can strain state finances, leading to reduced capital expenditure and long-term growth constraints. Maharashtra, despite keeping its fiscal deficit within 3% of GSDP, risks an increased revenue deficit if spending spirals beyond planned budgets. Committed expenditures like salaries and pensions already consume a significant share of revenue, leaving limited room for development spending. Meanwhile, Jharkhand’s reliance on optimistic revenue growth may limit fiscal space for sustaining its promises. This video unpacks the intersection of electoral politics and state budgets, focusing on the economic trade-offs involved. How sustainable are these fiscal strategies? And what could they mean for future governance and public welfare? Stay tuned for insights into the numbers behind the promises and their implications for fiscal discipline and development.