As Maharashtra heads into its 2024 Assembly elections, political parties are outlining their agendas with a strong focus on welfare initiatives, economic stability, and agricultural support. The two major alliances—the ruling Mahayuti coalition, led by the BJP and Shiv Sena, and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)—are each vying to capture the state’s vote by addressing the needs of women, farmers, youth, and various other segments of society.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Ten-Point Manifesto for Mahayuti
Kicking off Mahayuti’s election campaign in Kolhapur, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde emphasized the alliance’s commitment to welfare, economic upliftment, and cost-of-living reductions. His ten-point agenda seeks to increase financial support for women, expand aid to farmers, and ensure economic relief to pensioners.
Key Promises by CM Shinde:
- Expanded Support for Women and Pensioners: Shinde announced an increase in monthly assistance under the Ladki Bahin scheme and senior citizen pensions, boosting payments from ₹1,500 to ₹2,100.
- Farmers’ Welfare: Mahayuti promises to enhance the Shetkari Sanman Yojana, raising annual aid for farmers to ₹15,000. This includes a 20% subsidy above the Minimum Support Price (MSP) on crops and a comprehensive farm loan waiver for eligible farmers.
- Stabilizing Essential Prices: Shinde pledged measures to control prices of essential commodities, a significant concern in the current economic climate.
Ajit Pawar faction NCP’s Agenda
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, representing the NCP within the Mahayuti alliance, unveiled an eleven-point manifesto with a “New Maharashtra Vision” plan to be initiated within 100 days of winning. The NCP’s priorities include greater financial aid for women, increased benefits for farmers, and a commitment to rural development.
Highlights of the NCP Manifesto:
- Support for Women: The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana will increase monthly benefits from ₹1,500 to ₹2,100, reaching an estimated 2.3 crore women and marking Maharashtra’s largest direct benefit transfer for women.
- Farmers’ Assistance: The Shetkari Sanman Nidhi will be raised to ₹15,000 annually, with an additional ₹25,000 per hectare bonus for paddy farmers and a 20% MSP subsidy. The NCP also pledges a loan waiver for qualifying farmers.
- Rural Infrastructure and Job Creation: The NCP promises to develop over 45,000 rural roads, create 2.5 million jobs across the state, and offer a monthly vocational training stipend of ₹10,000.
Shiv Sena (UBT) and MVA Agenda
Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT), part of the opposition MVA alliance with the Congress and the NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar, presented its manifesto emphasizing free education, affordable living, and housing policies. The MVA’s broader manifesto is expected to echo these welfare promises, with an added focus on price stability and inclusivity.
Key Points of the MVA Manifesto:
- Education and Economic Stability: Thackeray pledged free education for male students, building upon the current policy for female students, and promised to stabilize essential commodity prices.
- Women’s Welfare: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi outlined plans under the Mahalakshmi Yojana, offering a monthly cash benefit of ₹3,000 and free bus travel for women.
- Farmers and Employment Initiatives: The MVA proposes a loan waiver up to ₹3 lakh for farmers, a ₹50,000 incentive for timely repayments, and unemployment benefits of ₹4,000 for jobless youth. They also promise health insurance up to ₹25 lakh and free access to essential medications.
