As the Maharashtra Assembly elections approach, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to unveil the Bharatiya Janata Party's "Sankalp Patra" (manifesto) on Sunday. This release will mark a significant step in BJP's campaign as they seek to sway voters with their promises and agenda for the upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, the Congress has already shared its manifesto, introducing five major promises aimed at addressing economic and social concerns within the state. These guarantees include monthly financial support of Rs 3,000 for women and free bus services for women and girls through the Mahalakshmi Yojana.
Other promises highlight agricultural relief, including a loan waiver of up to Rs 3 lakh for farmers and a Rs 50,000 incentive for timely loan repayment. Additionally, the manifesto proposes a caste-wise census, removal of the 50 percent reservation cap, health insurance coverage of up to Rs 25 lakh, and a monthly assistance of Rs 4,000 for unemployed youth.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde criticised Congress’s pledges, particularly targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He questioned the sincerity behind Congress’s manifesto, pointing to similar promises made by the party in other states.
Shinde claimed that after elections, Congress often cites “printing mistakes” or financial constraints, asking for funds from the Centre to fulfil promises. He labelled Congress as unreliable and accused them of misleading the public with empty commitments. Shinde further referenced Rahul Gandhi’s previous statements, comparing them to the quick actions taken by his government.
With the election date fast approaching, political parties across the spectrum are intensifying their campaigns. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition—comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)—is working to regain control in Maharashtra. Their main challenge lies in the Mahayuti alliance, which consists of Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction, the BJP, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.
One of the most highly anticipated contests will take place in Baramati, where NCP leader Ajit Pawar is competing against his nephew, Yugendra Pawar, who is the son of Ajit’s younger brother, Shrinivas Pawar.
Baramati has a storied political history, especially after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections when Supriya Sule won against Sunetra Pawar by a significant margin of 1.5 lakh votes, securing her position in this prominent constituency.
The Maharashtra Assembly election is scheduled for November 20, with vote counting for all 288 constituencies planned for November 23. These elections are crucial as the BJP aims to build on its previous performances in the state. In the 2019 assembly elections, BJP won 105 seats, while Shiv Sena secured 56 and Congress 44. This was a shift from the 2014 election results, where BJP claimed 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and Congress 42.
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