Maharashtra's Vidarbha and Marathwada Regions Hold Polls Amid Rural Distress

The Vidarbha and Marathwada regions of Maharashtra, known for rural distress and farmer suicides, are holding polls today, April 24, 2024. Eight seats are going to polls, with five in Vidarbha and three in Marathwada. The results are expected to reflect the sentiments of farmers, Dalits, and Marathas, who are dissatisfied with the current Mahayuti Alliance government over issues like irrigation, lack of OBC status for Marathas, inflation, healthcare, and employment.

In the 2019 elections, the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance won seven out of the eight seats, but this time the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP is expected to be a serious contender. The constituencies going to polls include Akola, Amravati, Yavatmal-Washim, Buldhana, Wardha in the Vidarbha region and Nanded, Parbhani and Hingoli in Marathwada.

Key contests to watch include a triangular contest in Akola, a direct clash between the two Shiv Sena factions in Buldhana and Yavatmal-Washim, and the litmus test for former Congress CM Ashok Chavan in Nanded. Vidarbha and Marathwada have a significant population of Dalit and Maratha voters who are said to be disenchanted with the current administration due to various issues, including reservation.

Why this matters: The outcome of these polls in the rural regions of Maharashtra is likely to mirror the sentiments of farmers, Dalits, and Marathas, who form a significant voter base. The results could have implications for the ruling Mahayuti Alliance and the opposition MVA in the lead up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Maratha reservation, split in Shiv Sena and NCP, inflation, the farmers' crisis, water scarcity, healthcare, road connectivity, and employment opportunities are significant electoral concerns in these areas. The Wardha Lok Sabha constituency, which comprises six assembly segments, is also going to polls today. The incumbent BJP MP Ramdas Tadas is seeking re-election amid issues like farmer distress, water scarcity, and lack of employment opportunities. "Farmer suicides remain a major concern, with over 20,000 suicides reported in the Vidarbha region since 2006," a local activist said.

Key Takeaways

• Polls held in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions of Maharashtra, known for rural distress.
• 8 seats up for grabs, with BJP-Shiv Sena alliance facing challenge from MVA alliance.
• Key contests include triangular fight in Akola, clash between Shiv Sena factions.
• Outcome likely to reflect sentiments of farmers, Dalits, and Marathas, a significant voter base.
• Issues like Maratha reservation, inflation, farmer crisis, water scarcity, and employment key concerns.