Maharashtra Assembly Elections: EC May Postpone Polls To November — Advantage Mahayuti

The Election Commission of India's recent announcement regarding the scheduling of Assembly elections for two out of the four states due for polls has sparked expectations that Maharashtra's Assembly elections will be held in November, rather than October.

This adjustment is anticipated to benefit the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which believes the extra time will allow them to counteract negative sentiment and implement populist schemes aimed at swaying voters.

Photo Credit: PTI

The current Assembly's term ends on 26 November, marking five years since the newly elected MLAs first met, reported Hindustan Times.

Initially, political parties expected the Maharashtra elections to coincide with those in Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, and Jharkhand, since Maharashtra and Haryana held their polls simultaneously five years ago.

However, with the Election Commission opting to conduct elections in separate phases and considering that Jharkhand's term ends in January next year, Maharashtra's elections are likely to be postponed.

An official from the election commission explained, "As Haryana's elections, whose term ends on 3 November, are scheduled for 1 October, there's no urgency to hold Maharashtra's polls in October. The term of the Maharashtra Assembly was extended by a month after the 2019 Assembly poll results were announced on 24 October 2019. The dissolution of the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance led to a month-long delay in government formation, during which the state experienced 20 days of president's rule and an 84-hour government led by Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar. Consequently, the ECI is obligated to complete the election process by 26 November, likely announcing the polls 40-45 days before the deadline."

The ruling Mahayuti alliance, following their underwhelming performance in the recent Lok Sabha polls, is expected to benefit from this delay.

A leader from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena noted, "The state government is providing ₹1,500 monthly under the Ladaki Bahin Yojana to over 15 million women in the state. Delaying the election by a month will enable the crediting of the fourth instalment, totalling ₹9,000 crore in beneficiaries' accounts. Additionally, several other schemes, including PM-Kisan Yojana, Arogya Doot, and youth stipends, offer cash benefits to recipients. This should help create a favourable atmosphere for the ruling parties."

A senior BJP leader, speaking anonymously, emphasized that the extra time will allow the party to "minimise negativity" and engage in course correction.

"We'll also have more time for course correction, such as addressing disillusionment among our cadre. Post-polls, measures like appointing hardcore and loyal party leaders to key positions have already begun. Additional time will help us disseminate this message to workers and leaders at the ground level. It also means our leaders like Modi and Shah can dedicate more time to Maharashtra for rallies and planning."

The state's election machinery is reportedly ready to conduct the polls at any time.

"If not held before Diwali, which begins on 31 October, the polls will likely take place after 15 November to avoid conflicts with the festival," an election commission official added.

The opposition, however, has criticised the ruling parties for allegedly fearing early elections. Jayant Patil, state chief of NCP-SP, remarked, "They have sensed that the tide is against them and thus want to ensure the elections are held in November.