Maharashtra Election: MVA Releases Poll Manifesto; Promises Caste Census, Pledges Rs 3k To Women

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) bloc, comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar), has released its manifesto for the high-stakes November 20 Maharashtra elections, positioning itself to surpass the Eknath Shinde government's Ladki Bahin scheme for women, while also aiming to support farmers and youth.

Unveiling the manifesto today, the MVA set forth a 100-day agenda if it secures power.

Photo Credit: PTI

It pledges Rs 3,000 per month to women under the Mahalaxmi Yojana, exceeding the Rs 1,500 aid offered under Shinde's Ladki Bahin scheme and the BJP's promise of Rs 2,100 in its own manifesto, which was also launched today.

According to an NDTV report, MVA manifesto promises free bus travel for women, six cooking gas cylinders at Rs 500 each, enhanced laws for women's safety, free cervical cancer vaccines for girls aged 9-16, and two days of period leave each month.

For farmers, a crucial electoral group, the MVA promises a high-level committee to address farmer suicides and enhanced support for bereaved families. The bloc also aims to secure fair prices for farmers' produce and simplify the crop insurance scheme.

Unemployed youth are promised a monthly allowance of Rs 4,000, alongside expanded state scholarship schemes. Additionally, the MVA aims to broaden Maharashtra's health insurance policy and has committed to conducting a caste census to bolster social justice efforts.

At the manifesto launch, state Congress chief Nana Patole remarked that it is not merely a manifesto but a "vachan nama," stating, "The BJP and its alliance have let the state down for the past 10 years. They talk of waiving farmers' loans, but why didn't they do so while in power?"

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge emphasised Mumbai's global significance and Maharashtra's leadership in social reform. He called the election critical for determining the country's future, asserting, "Only MVA can promise a stable government." Also present were Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut and NCP(SP)'s Supriya Sule.

Kharge's comments on "turncoats" referenced the split within Shiv Sena, which saw rebels bringing down Uddhav Thackeray's MVA government in 2022.

Later, NCP was divided by a split led by Ajit Pawar. Since the 2019 election, the former BJP-Shiv Sena alliance has fractured, with both Sena and NCP split. This election, therefore, is seen as a test of legitimacy for the rival factions.

While highlighting the MVA's pledges, Patole criticised the BJP: "When we implemented similar measures in Karnataka, they called it 'revdi', but are now promoting these schemes."

Regarding the caste census, he clarified it is aimed at understanding social structures to enable better-targeted improvements, rather than creating division.