NEW DELHI: As the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 draw closer, voters in Nagpur reveal varying priorities between inflation control and government welfare schemes.
In an exclusive byte with The New Indian, a street vendor named Atikur Rehman from Nagpur shared that his primary concern is inflation, which he believes the government should address instead of overspending on initiatives like the Ladki Yojana. He stated, “The government is spending thousands on this scheme for girls, but it doesn’t significantly help the middle class. Instead, they should subsidize essentials like gas cylinders, pulses, and ration, which would make a real difference.”
He added that he will be supporting the Congress and Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in the upcoming election.
Meanwhile, at Nagpur’s Deekshabhoomi, a tourist from Amravati, Gajvanti Vighne, shared her perspective, expressing that schemes like Ladki Yojana are primarily aimed at winning votes rather than offering substantial benefits to the people. “Instead of using funds on these schemes, the government should focus on easing inflation. Regularly changing governments is important to uphold democracy and avoid autocracy,” she said.
The tourist further expressed that, in her view, if the Maha Yuti alliance wins, someone experienced like Sharad Pawar should become Chief Minister, as he could handle the state’s challenges more effectively.
The responses from citizens in Nagpur and Amravati reflect the larger political climate and voter sentiment leading up to the Maharashtra elections. While many are seeking relief from inflation and a focus on necessities, others are advocating for a change in government and seasoned leadership.
According to the polling schedule, the voters from Maharashtra will be casting their ballots on November 20 in a single phase and the counting of votes and results will be declared on November 23.
The 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly’s current term ends on November 26 and the State braces for an intense two-way contest between two coalitions — the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), consisting of Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar), and Congress, and the Mahayuti Alliance, which brings together BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), and NCP (Ajit Pawar).