As the Maharashtra Assembly elections draw closer, the state government has been conducting back-to-back cabinet meetings, racing against the clock before the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is implemented. On Monday morning (September 30), yet another crucial cabinet meeting is scheduled, with significant decisions and announcements expected. With the current government’s term set to expire on November 26, elections are expected before that, and the MCC could come into effect at any moment.
In the previous week, the government made 24 crucial decisions during a cabinet meeting, many of which were introduced at the last minute without being part of the official agenda. This session could potentially be the last before the Election Commission officially announces the polling schedule, at which point the MCC would be in force, preventing any further government decisions or policy rollouts.
Key Decisions Ahead of Polls
During the last cabinet meeting, the Mahayuti government made several politically significant moves ahead of the elections. A notable decision was the inclusion of three caste groups—Tilori Kunbi, Tillori Kunbi, and Ti Kunbi—into the Other Backward Class (OBC) category, a move seen as an effort to appeal to these communities.
Additionally, in a major boost for the state’s milk producers, the cabinet approved an increase in the government grant from ₹5 to ₹7 per litre of cow milk, bringing the total procurement price to ₹35 per litre. This ₹965.24 crore scheme, aimed at benefitting scores of milk producers, is expected to garner significant support from rural constituencies.
Political Activity Intensifies
State ministers have hinted that the MCC may come into effect as early as the first or second week of October. Further intensifying political activity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Mumbai soon to inaugurate the much-anticipated Metro 3 underground project. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Mumbai on October 1 to finalize Mahayuti’s seat-sharing arrangements and coordinate poll preparations at the booth level.
There is speculation that the Election Commission might announce the election schedule shortly after these high-profile visits. Notably, during a recent press conference in Mumbai, the Election Commission of India hinted that elections could take place after Diwali, acknowledging requests from political parties to avoid clashes with major festivals like Diwali.
What Lies Ahead
The government’s marathon cabinet meetings and rapid policy decisions signal an intense push before the election model code kicks in. With critical projects like the Metro 3 inauguration and discussions surrounding Mahayuti seat-sharing in the works, Maharashtra’s political landscape is bracing for high-stakes action as the state prepares for the 2024 elections.