The campaign for the Maharashtra Assembly elections has reached its final stage, heating up the political atmosphere in the state. This election presents a direct clash between two major alliances. On one side is the BJP-led “Mahayuti,” which includes the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and Ajit Pawar’s NCP. On the other side is the opposition alliance “INDIA,” comprising the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction), Sharad Pawar-led NCP, and the Congress. Approximately 96.3 million voters in the state will cast their votes for 288 seats, and the outcome of this election will have implications not only for Maharashtra but also for national politics.
Maharashtra is a major agricultural and industrial state, with Mumbai serving as the financial capital of India. Hence, critical issues like economic development, infrastructure, inflation, employment, and farmers’ concerns are generally at the forefront of elections here. However, the direction of this campaign has shifted towards polarization, with political parties increasingly focusing on issues that evoke religious, caste-based, and regional sentiments to influence voters.
The BJP’s campaign this time has clearly emphasized Hindutva. Statements like Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s “Bantege to Katenge” (Only united we stand) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ek Hain to Surakshit Hain” (United we are secure) have redefined the narrative. These slogans underscore the BJP’s intent to rally voters around the Hindutva agenda while promoting unity among them. This reflects the party’s strategy to leverage religious sentiments in its favor.
In contrast, the opposition alliance INDIA has raised the issue of caste-based census, emphasizing the need for policies to improve the social and economic conditions based on caste data. This indicates their commitment to inclusivity and social justice. However, the BJP has accused the opposition of attempting to polarize voters along caste lines through this agenda.
Within the Mahayuti, allies like Ajit Pawar and leaders from the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) appear somewhat distanced from this Hindutva-centric strategy. Former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who recently joined the BJP, has also stayed away from such rhetoric, hinting at ideological differences within the alliance.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on the other hand, has tried to maintain a development-oriented image. His campaign focuses on initiatives like approving ₹500 billion for Mumbai’s infrastructure, increasing foreign investments, and launching schemes for farmers. Fadnavis has framed the “Ek Hain to Surakshit Hain” slogan from a positive perspective, highlighting unity and progress.
The opposition INDIA alliance has concentrated on issues like caste census, reservation, and social justice while criticizing the Mahayuti government’s policies. However, internal disagreements over the chief ministerial candidate have exposed a lack of cohesive strategy among the opposition. Diverging stances between the Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) and Sharad Pawar-led NCP have also been evident during the campaign.
The focus on polarization in this election has overshadowed fundamental issues like development, employment, and inflation. In a state like Maharashtra, there should have been more emphasis on addressing farmers’ concerns and industrial growth. Likewise, discussions around Mumbai’s traffic and infrastructure problems were expected but were sidelined. Instead, political parties prioritized emotional and divisive rhetoric.
Initially, the BJP’s campaign emphasized development. However, as the campaign progressed, the focus shifted to Hindutva and polarization. This compelled the opposition to recalibrate its strategy. The extent to which this shift benefits the BJP will only be revealed after the results.
In conclusion, the campaign for the Maharashtra Assembly elections has taken a turn towards polarization. While the BJP has centered its campaign on Hindutva, the opposition has focused on caste census and social justice. These strategies have diverted attention from the core issues facing the state, placing emotional and polarizing themes at the forefront. The results will determine the effectiveness of these strategies and provide insights into the growing trend of polarization in Maharashtra’s politics.
Vikas Parsaram Meshram is a political commentator
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