The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition has made significant promises ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, pledging a set of “five guarantees” for the people of Maharashtra. These promises were announced at a rally in Mumbai’s BKC ground by key MVA leaders, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) chief Sharad Pawar.
Under the Mahalakshmi scheme, women will receive monthly financial assistance of Rs 3,000 and free rides on government buses across Maharashtra. This is a big jump compared to the ruling government’s current Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme, which provides Rs 1,500 a month to women below the poverty line. “This is the election of ideologies,” said Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha. “Our government, like our Congress governments in Telangana and Karnataka, will conduct a caste census and remove the 50% cap on reservations.”
The Five Guarantees by MVA
- Support for Women: Women in Maharashtra will receive Rs 3,000 monthly and free transportation in government buses under the Mahalakshmi scheme.
- Farm Loan Waiver: Farmers will receive a farm loan waiver of up to Rs 3 lakh across Maharashtra. Additionally, those who consistently repay their loans will receive an incentive of Rs 50,000.
- Unemployment Support: Unemployed youth in Maharashtra will be given a monthly allowance of Rs 4,000.
- Health Insurance: All households will get affordable health insurance coverage worth Rs 25 lakh.
- Free Essential Medicines: Government hospitals will offer free essential medicines.
Kharge emphasized that the audience’s support is the “most important guarantee” he wants from the people.
“Ensure the MVA alliance’s victory; that’s the most important guarantee I want from you. It’s time to throw out the current government of thieves,” he declared.
Kharge also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning his unfulfilled promises such as bringing back black money, creating two crore jobs, doubling the minimum support price (MSP) and the benefits of demonetization. “Has even a single promise been fulfilled? No. That’s why I call him jhooton ka sardar (chieftain of liars),” he said.
Thackeray promised to cancel contracts for the Dharavi redevelopment project, where large sections of land were allocated to the Adani group. “We promise to settle Dharavi residents on the same land,” he stated.
Rahul Gandhi condemned the current state government accusing it of coming to power through corruption.
“This BJP government is snatching your land, projects, and jobs. They claim to give money to women, but with inflation and rising unemployment, they actually take Rs 90,000 from you each year and claim to give back Rs 1,500,” Gandhi said, targeting the Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme.
Sharad Pawar pointed out that the state’s economic strength has declined, with Maharashtra slipping from first to sixth place in industry and business rankings. He attributed this decline to the BJP-led government. Pawar also referenced the recent incident where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue collapsed in Sindhudurg district, noting, “Statues in Mumbai don’t collapse in the wind because there’s no corruption in their making.”
The rally also focused on preserving Mumbai’s significance with leaders arguing against attempts to move businesses out of Maharashtra. Mallikarjun Kharge voiced his commitment to stand “shoulder-to-shoulder” with Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar to keep companies in Maharashtra.
“I urge the people to protect the legacy of Phule, Shahu and Ambedkar. The rest of India has learned from Maharashtra. If you remain united, nobody can take anything from you,” Kharge declared.
With promises of monthly financial assistance for women, support for farmers, job support, health coverage and preserving Maharashtra’s cultural and economic legacy, the MVA is aiming to bring sweeping changes if voted into power.
