Maharashtra, Jharkhand brace for high-stakes elections: It's a neck and neck contest in both states

Deshpande discussed how Maharashtra’s socio-political fabric, shaped by the legacies of Shivaji, Ambedkar, and progressive thought leaders, has historically resisted divisive agendas. The BJP's attempt to foreground a Hindu-Muslim narrative, bolstered by the Sakal Hindu Samaj campaign, has seen limited traction. However, freebies such as financial aid to women may blunt some voter dissatisfaction, but challenges like price rises and farmers' woes persist as pressing concerns.

Also watch: Maharashtra: BJP faces multiple challenges; how will it fare in assembly polls?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath have campaigned vigorously, yet the Opposition lacks a cohesive counter-narrative to BJP’s strategies. If predictions hold, the MVA can secure around 115 seats, although the BJP’s strong booth management and central influence can still sway results in their favour.

Jharkhand: Fragmentation and identity politics take centrestage

Meanwhile, Jharkhand’s political landscape remains volatile, with the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) facing a reinvigorated BJP. Journalist Manoj Prasad points out that identity politics and tribal affiliations dominate the narrative, overshadowing critical developmental issues.

The BJP has gained momentum by aligning with smaller regional parties and exploiting divisions within the JMM and tribal electorate. The split in tribal votes, particularly among the Santal and Kolhan communities, is likely to benefit the BJP. Historical data reveals that tribal votes have been a decisive factor, with even minor shifts in allegiance significantly altering outcomes.

Also read: Jharkhand polls: In 2nd phase, 127 candidates are crorepatis, 148 have criminal cases

Despite the BJP's robust campaign, Hemant Soren has managed to keep the JMM-Congress alliance afloat, though the Congress remains weak at the grassroots level. Prasad predicts the BJP might emerge as the single largest party, leveraging its central power to form the government in a potentially fragmented assembly.

Broader implications and lingering questions

Both states reflect a troubling trend of sidelining substantive issues like poverty, unemployment, and farmer distress in favour of identity politics and emotional rhetoric. In Jharkhand, despite its mineral wealth, the state continues to lag on development indicators such as urban poverty and per capita income. Similarly, Maharashtra’s economic challenges, including the agrarian crisis, remain unresolved.

As voters head to the polls, the stakes are high. Will Maharashtra’s electorate reward MVA’s persistence, or will BJP’s strategic advantages turn the tide? In Jharkhand, can the Soren government withstand BJP’s concerted push? The results on November 23 will shape not just politics of these two states but also set the tone for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

(The content above has been generated using a fine-tuned AI model. To ensure accuracy, quality, and editorial integrity, we employ a Human-In-The-Loop (HITL) process. While AI assists in creating the initial draft, our experienced editorial team carefully reviews, edits, and refines the content before publication. At The Federal, we combine the efficiency of AI with the expertise of human editors to deliver reliable and insightful journalism.)