MVA to bet on caste census, women's welfare scheme as poll guarantees: Sources
The guarantees are expected to act as a show of strength by the MVA, and will be released in an event and is expected to be attended by Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray.
by Ashutosh Acharya · India TodayIn Short
- Maha Vikas Agadhi to announce guarantees on Wednesday
- Schemes likely to include farm loan waiver, health insurance, sources say
- Caste census will also likely be a part of the guarantees, they say
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance will release at least five welfare guarantees ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections on Wednesday, sources said.
According to sources, several major schemes, including a welfare scheme similar to the Gruha Laxmi scheme in Karnataka, are expected to be announced during the event. A farm loan waiver scheme and a scheme to counter the Ladki Bahin scheme, which was introduced by the Mahayuti government, are also expected to be announced by the MVA parties, sources said.
The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana was launched in July 2024 and aims to support women across Maharashtra, benefiting over 2.34 crore women so far. Each beneficiary receives Rs 1,500 per month under the scheme. Meanwhile, the Gruha Lakshmi scheme provides financial assistance of Rs 2000 to women heads of households in Karnataka.
The guarantees are expected to act as a show of strength by the MVA, and will be released in an event at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and is expected to be attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.
A health insurance scheme of Rs 25 lakh similar to the Chiranjeevi scheme, introduced in Rajasthan, will also likely be one of the guarantees, they said, adding that caste census will also be mentioned in the list.
The Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and the NCP (SP) will be contesting the Maharashtra elections on 85 seats each.
Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly will be held on November 20 and the results will be announced on November 23.