Why Maharashtra 2024 Elections Are Like Six Separate Battles: Regional and Political Divides Explained

The 2024 elections of Maharashtra should be seen as more than just a state election. It appears to be a very brown political system composed of six regions, each with a specific feature and not three or less than three regions because they are too few in terms of the political aspects of this election: these are – Konkan, Marathwada, Vidarbha, Northern Maharashtra, Western Maharashtra and Mumbai-Thane. Every region has its own issues, leaders and political equations making this election look like six elections instead of one.

1. Regional Politics and Elections in Maharashtra: A Study in Region

The convergence of geography and socioeconomic-political phenomena in a particular time and space has been influencing the elections of Maharashtra since always. Konkan is a region where Shiv Sena (UBT) continues to have a customary dominance. Moving on to the Vidarbha region it has developed an anti-incumbency feeling because of the farmer distress. Western Maharashtra however shows NCP and Congress’s strength due to the power of the sugar cooperatives and dynastic politics. In contrast, Mumbai-Thane is a crucial area for BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) where there is a diverse array of voters. 

2. The Politics of Castes and Communities in Maharashtra

The dynamics of the castes is also an important aspect while analysing the electoral politics of Maharashtra. The Maratha community for instance, residing in Marathwada region still fights for the demand of reservations which becomes one of the election planks. Similarly the dalits and OBC votes which are largely based in Vidarbha and Northern Maharashtra are also significant masses for both BJP and Congress led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Given that the BJP is casting itself as an OBC- friendly party and that the MVA is attempting to consolidate Dalit votes, caste strategies will probably have decisive influence.

3. Effect of Factionalism

Factionalism in the major parties provides even more complication. The Shiv sena split- that is between Uddhav thackeray and the Shinde led faction is crucial. As much as the BJP has embraced Eknath Shinde, Uddhav Thackeray’s camp is struggling to maintain its influence, especially in urban regions such as Mumbai. The NCP too has divisions as Ajit Pawar joined hands with the BJP, leaving Sharad Pawar to contest for the remaining parts of the party’s social base.

4. Urban vs Rural Voters

In this election, the difference between the rural heartland and the urban cosmopolitan zones is pronounced. Mumbai, Pune too have a different set of concerns— the concerns for jobs, infrastructure, housing, are major issues here, and these have to suit the BJP’s development oriented pitch. The rural voters, however, relate more to issues of agrarian strife, droughts, and farmer suicide where the MVA alliance is pressing for support intensely.

5. Mahayuti vs MVA

At the moment, two broad coalitions define the political context – the mahayuti (bjp, shindes shiv sena, ajit pawar’s ncp) and the MVA (congress, ncp, uddhavs shiv sena). While the BJP-led Mahayuti is counting on its development agenda and the Shinde factor, the MVA is concentrating on the issues of the voters and working on anti-incumbency strategies. Who is able to attract the urban and rural voters will determine the final result to a large extent​.

Conclusion

The 2024 Maharashtra elections will be very interesting as it will be nothing short of six elections put into one state with each region, caste, and political party being important. The outcome will be difficult to predict due to the factors of regionalism and caste politics as well as factional rivalries, but one thing is for sure this will be a complex and cutthroat election.

For further reading, check out detailed articles on this topic from – Hindustan times