Unlocking the Political Tapestry: Dive into the Crucial November Polls Shaping India’s Future!
In November, 5 Indian states brace for pivotal elections that set the stage for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Starting with Mizoram and Chhattisgarh on November 7, followed by Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Telangana, each state holds its unique electoral tale. The climax arrives on December 3, determining the nation’s political landscape. Read on as Probo decodes the far-reaching impact of this electoral scene.
Rajasthan Assembly Elections 2023
On November 25, Rajasthan held elections to fill 200 seats in the Assembly. Notably, the preceding assembly elections occurred in December 2018, leading to the formation of the state government by the Indian National Congress, under the leadership of Ashok Gehlot as Chief Minister. Rajasthan has historically exhibited a trend of anti-incumbency, a sentiment persisting over the years.
Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC) have etched their chapters in shaping Rajasthan’s political narrative. The state has garnered a reputation for its recurring anti-incumbency sentiment, leading to a pattern where power oscillates between the Congress and the BJP in consecutive election cycles. This seesawing of political dominance has become characteristic of Rajasthan’s electoral landscape, marking a constant tug-of-war between the two major parties.
Key contenders:
Ashok Gehlot (INC)
The current CM, Ashok Gehlot has a clear trend of success over the years. His margin of victory has consistently grown over the years. He will aim to continue the trend in the 2023 elections as well.
Sachin Pilot (INC)
Sachin Pilot’s political journey saw remarkable growth in his victory margins during his Lok Sabha wins in 2004 and 2009, highlighting his increasing popularity. However, he faced a setback when he lost in Ajmer in the 2014 elections, underscoring the dynamic nature of electoral politics.
Vasundhara Raje (BJP)
Vasundhara Raje’s electoral journey showcased a consistent upward trend in victory margins in Rajasthan State Assembly elections from 1985 to 2013, reflecting her growing popularity and influence. However, the trend was disrupted in 2018 when she faced defeat.
A look into parties manifestos
BJP:
- Increased MSP for wheat procurement: The BJP has pledged to purchase wheat from farmers at an MSP of Rs 2800 per quintal, which is significantly higher than the current MSP of Rs 2015 per quintal.
- Compensation for confiscated land: The BJP has promised to work out a comprehensive compensation plan for farmers whose land has been acquired for various projects. This issue has been a major source of discontent among farmers in Rajasthan.
- Anti-Romeo squads: To ensure the safety of women, the BJP has promised to establish Anti-Romeo Squads in every district of the state. These squads will be tasked with patrolling public places and taking action against eve-teasers and harassers.
- Lado Protsahan Yojana: The BJP has announced an initiative to promote the well-being of daughters. Under this scheme, a savings bond of Rs 2 lakh will be given to every household where a daughter is born. This bond will mature when the daughter reaches the age of 18 years.
- Free scooty scheme for meritorious students: The BJP has unveiled a Free Scooty Scheme for meritorious students pursuing higher education. This scheme will provide scooters to deserving students to help them with their transportation needs.
- Enhanced subsidy for Ujjwala beneficiaries: The BJP has promised to increase the subsidy for Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries from Rs 500 to Rs 950. This will provide much-needed relief to low-income households who use LPG cylinders for cooking.
- Boost to Tourism: The BJP has committed to establishing a Rs 2,000 crore corpus fund to promote tourism, aiming to generate employment opportunities for 5 lakh youth in the state.
INC:
- Under the Griha Lakshmi Yojana, women heads of families are guaranteed an annual honorarium of ₹10,000.
- LPG cylinders for ₹500 to 1.05 crore families.
- Under the Gowdhan guarantee, dung is purchased from cattle rearers for ₹2 per kg.
- Old pension law for government employees.
- Students enrolled in government colleges will receive a laptop or tablet.
- An insurance policy covering up to ₹15 lakh per family can compensate for losses due to natural calamities.
- Chiranjeevi health insurance scheme to be increased from 25 lakhs to 50 lakhs
With all these promises being made, the question arises of who will sit on Rajasthan’s throne for the 5 years to come:
Trade on events on Rajasthan elections:
- BJP to win 110 or more seats in 2023 Rajasthan Assembly Elections?
- Congress to win 75 or more seats in 2023 Rajasthan Assembly Elections?
Madhya Pradesh Assembly Election 2023
On November 17, Madhya Pradesh witnessed a crucial electoral process to fill 230 seats in the Assembly. The preceding assembly elections occurred in November 2018, following which the Indian National Congress secured power, installing Kamal Nath as the Chief Minister. However, the political landscape underwent a seismic shift in March 2020 when 22 Congress MLAs tendered their resignations, aligning themselves with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under the leadership of Jyotiraditya Scindia. This mass defection led to the collapse of the Congress-led state government and Kamal Nath’s resignation as Chief Minister. Subsequently, the BJP assumed power, appointing Shivraj Singh Chouhan as the new Chief Minister, marking a dramatic turn in Madhya Pradesh’s political trajectory.
Past 5-year election:
In the 2018 elections, the Congress emerged victorious with 114 seats, edging out the BJP which secured 109 seats. However, the political landscape took a dramatic turn in March 2020 when 22 Congress MLAs tendered their resignations, aligning themselves with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in association with Jyotiraditya Scindia. This move triggered the collapse of the state government, leading to the resignation of Chief Minister Kamal Nath. Following this upheaval, the BJP assumed control and Shivraj Singh Chouhan took charge as the new Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.
Key candidates
Shivraj Singh Chouhan (BJP)
Shivraj Singh Chauhan is the current Chief Minister of the state of Madhya Pradesh a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party and is also currently the National Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Party and a dedicated worker of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He became the Chief Minister of the state for the fourth time on 23 March 2020, replacing Kamal Nath.
Digvijaya Singh (INC)
Digvijaya Singh is an Indian politician and a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha. He is Ex-General Secretary of the Indian National Congress party’s All India Congress Committee. Previously, he had served as the 14th Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, a central Indian state, for two terms from 1993 to 2003
A look into the party’s manifesto:
BJP:
- Cooking gas cylinders at Rs 450 for beneficiaries of the Ladli Behna and Ujjwala schemes.
- The PM Kisan Samman and CM Kisan Kalyan Yojana, under which farmers get a total of Rs 12,000 per year
INC:
1. Agriculture: The resumption of the farm loan waiver scheme announced in 2018.
2. Electricity: Free electricity up to 100 units, and half bill up to 200 units.
3. LPG: for ₹500 per Cylinder.
4. Seniors: Reimplementation of Old Pension Scheme.
5. Women: Pension of ₹1,500 per month to every woman.
With both parties putting their best foot forward, who will it be to win over Madhya Pradesh?
Trade on events on Madhya Pradesh elections:
- Congress to win 110 or more seats in 2023 Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections?
- BJP to win 110 or more seats in 2023 Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections?
Chhattisgarh Assembly Election 2023
Chhattisgarh underwent a two-phase election process on November 7th and 17th to elect 90 members of the Assembly. The preceding assembly elections occurred in November 2018, resulting in the Indian National Congress assuming power and appointing Bhupesh Baghel as the Chief Minister of the state.
Past 5-year election
The 2018 Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly election was held to elect members to the Legislative Assembly of the Indian State of Chhattisgarh. The election was held in two phases for a total of 90 seats; the first for 18 seats in South Chhattisgarh was held on 12 November 2018, and the second for the remaining 72 were held on 20 November. The INC got a landslide victory winning 68 seats against the ruling BJP’s 15 seats, and consequently formed the government after 15 years as the opposition party. Incumbent Chief Minister Raman Singh resigned on 11 December, the day of counting and declaration of result, taking the responsibility for the defeat in the elections. Elected to the Assembly from Patan, INC leader Bhupesh Baghel took office on 17 December as the third Chief Minister of the State.
Key Candidates
Bhupesh Baghel (INC)
Bhupesh Baghel, popularly known as Kaka, is an Indian politician serving as the 3rd and current Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh since 2018. He was president of Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress from 2014 to 2019. He has represented the Patan constituency in the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly since 2013 and from 2003 to 2008.
Raman Singh (BJP)
Raman Singh is an Indian politician who has currently serving as the National Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Party since 2019 and a member of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly representing Rajnandgaon since 2008 and from Dongargaon from 2004 to 2008.
A look at manifestos
BJP:
- Filling one lakh vacant government posts in Chhattisgarh in two years.
- Women from poor families will get cooking gas cylinders at ₹500 each.
- Students will be given a monthly travel allowance for going to college through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, funds will be sanctioned for the construction of 18 lakh houses, while every house will have a tap water connection within two years under the ‘Ghar Ghar Nirmal Jal Abhiyan’.
- Deendayal Upadhyay Krishi Majdoor Yojana will be launched under which landless agricultural labourers will be given ₹10,000 per year.
- The party-led government will also launch the ‘Mahtari Vandan Scheme’, under which married women will be given financial assistance of ₹12,000 per year.
- Launching the ‘Krishi Unnati Scheme’ under which 21 quintals per acre paddy will be procured (from farmers) at ₹3100 per quintal.
- Taking people of the state on a visit to the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
INC:
- Caste census to “ensure justice”.
- Increase in paddy procurement from 15 to 20 quintals per acre
- Free education from kindergarten to post-graduation
- ₹3,200 per quintal for paddy for farmers
- Input subsidy under the Rajiv Gandhi Nyay Yojna to paddy cultivators
- Provisions for wood used in funeral pyres in urban areas
- Increase in reward rate for Tendu leaf collections from ₹4,000 per standard stack to ₹6,000
- An additional bonus of ₹4,000 for Tendu leaf collectors
- Launched “Mahtari Nyay Yojana” to provide women with a subsidy of ₹500 per cooking gas cylinder, directly deposited into their bank accounts, regardless of income.
- Continuing existing schemes
- Farm loans, Self Help Group loans, and those availed by women under the Saksham Yojna to be waived
- Housing for 17.5 lakh impoverished families
- Increase financial aid under the Rajiv Gandhi Bhoomihin Kisan Nyay Yojna from ₹7,000 to ₹10,000 per year
- Dr Khubchand Baghel Health Assistance Scheme to extend free treatment up to ₹10 lakh for the underprivileged
- Up to ₹5 lakh for those in the APL category
- Purchase Tivara (a type of lentil) from farmers at support price
- Waiver on outstanding motor vehicle taxes and penalties amounting to ₹726 crores for more than 6,600 vehicle owners associated with the transport business
- Loan waiver for farmers.
After ending the incumbency spell in 2018, will Congress manage to hold its position or will Chhattisgarh vote for a change?
More events on Chhattisgarh election:
- Congress to win 45 or more seats in 2023 Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections?
- BJP to win 40 or more seats in 2023 Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections?
Telangana Assembly Elections 2023
On November 30th, Telangana held elections to fill 119 seats in the Assembly. The previous assembly elections took place in December 2018, leading to the incumbent Telangana Rashtra Samithi (later renamed Bharat Rashtra Samithi) assuming power, reinstating K. Chandrashekar Rao as Chief Minister for his second term.
The Telangana Legislative Assembly election was held in Telangana on 7 December 2018 to constitute the second Legislative Assembly since the formation of the state in 2014. The incumbent Telangana Rashtra Samithi, Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Telangana Jana Samithi, and Telugu Desam Party were the main contestants in the election. The four opposition parties in the state, INC, TJS, TDP and CPI announced the formation of a ‘Maha Kootami’ (Grand Alliance), to defeat the ruling TRS in the elections. However, the Maha Kootami could not win a majority; the TRS won and formed the government once again.
Key Candidates
Chandrashekar Rao (BRS)
Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao, often referred to by his initials KCR, is an Indian politician serving as the first and current Chief Minister of Telangana since 2 June 2014. He is the founder and leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, a state party in India
Revanth Reddy (INC)
Anumula Revanth Reddy is an Indian politician from Telangana. He is a Member of Parliament in the 17th Lok Sabha, from the Indian National Congress representing the Malkajgiri constituency.
Party Manifestos
BRS:
1. Social security pension: Pensions currently stand at Rs 2,016, will be increased to Rs 3,016 in the first year after the BRS returns to power, and then be raised incrementally up to Rs 5,000 in the next four years.
2. Rythu Bandhu scheme: ‘Rythu Bandhu’ scheme in which farmers get Rs 10,000 per annum per acre, the payments will be enhanced gradually to Rs 16,000 per annum over the next five years.
3. Gas cylinder: After returning to power BRS will give each gas cylinder at Rs 400 to ‘eligible beneficiaries’ and the remaining cost will be borne by the state government.
4. Arogya Sri health scheme: Rs 15 lakh health insurance cover to all eligible beneficiaries under the ‘Arogya Sri’ health scheme, increasing it from the present Rs 5 lakh.
5. Housing: House sites would be provided to the poor who have no house in the state. The current housing policy will continue.
6. Rice distribution: Distribute fine rice through Fair Price shops soon after the party comes to power.
INC:
1. Agriculture: Farmers and agricultural labourers will receive ₹15,000 and ₹12,000 in financial assistance each year. A bonus of ₹500 per quintal for paddy above the minimum support price.
2. Electricity: 200 units of free electricity to all households under the Gruha Jyothi scheme.
3. Housing: Under the Indiramma Idlu scheme, a piece of land and ₹5 lakhs for the construction of a house will be provided to the homeless poor. 250 sq. yards plot for families of martyrs of the Telangana movement.
4. Seniors: ₹4,000 monthly pensions for the elderly, widows and others as well as ₹10 lakhs worth of Rajiv Arogyasri insurance cover for the poor under the Cheyutha scheme.
5. Women: Under the Mahalakshmi scheme, women shall receive ₹2,500 every month in financial assistance, gas cylinders for ₹500, and free travel in RTC buses.
6. Youth: Vidya Bharosa Card worth ₹5 lakhs to students for pursuing higher education and establishment of Telangana International School in every mandal (block).
Will BRS defend its throne or will INC establish its kingship in the state?
More events on Telangana Elections:
- BJP to win 10 or more seats in 2023 Telangana Assembly Elections?
- BRS (formerly TRS) to win 60 or more seats in 2023 Telangana Assembly Elections?
- Congress to win 50 or more seats in 2023 Telangana Assembly Elections?
Mizoram Assembly Elections:
On November 7th, Mizoram conducted its elections to select 40 members for the Assembly. The last assembly elections occurred in November 2018, leading to the formation of the state government by the Mizo National Front, with Zoramthanga assuming the role of Chief Minister. The total electorate in Mizoram stands at 4,078,681, encompassing 1,993,937 male voters, 2,084,675 female voters, and 69 individuals identifying as third gender.
Past 5-year election
The legislative assembly election was held on 28 November 2018 to elect members of the 40 constituencies in Mizoram. Mizo National Front won 26 seats in the election. This was the first time that Congress did not have any government in any of the states in Northeast India. For the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, it formed an alliance called United Democratic Front with seven other parties including BJP, to contest the only seat in Mizoram. The MNF has been part of the National Democratic Alliance since 2014.
Key candidates
Zoramthanga (MNF)
Zoramthanga is an Indian politician who has served as the 5th Chief Minister of Mizoram since 2018 and from 1998 to 2008. He is also the president of the Mizo National Front party. He has represented the Aizawl East I constituency in the Mizoram Legislative Assembly since 2018 and the Champhai constituency from 1998 to 2008.
Lal Thanhawla (INC)
Pu Lal Thanhawla is an Indian politician and former Chief Minister of Mizoram, belonging to the Indian National Congress party. He holds the record for longest-serving Chief Minister of Mizoram, occupying the position for five terms: 1984 to 1986, 1989 to 1993, 1993 to 1998, 2008 to 2013, and 2013 to 2018.
A look at manifestos
MNF:
- Promised to unite the Zofa or people belonging to the Zo community under one administration
- The MNF manifesto also promised to implement all the clauses of the. Mizo Peace Accord of 1986, which ended the 20-year-long Mizo Insurgency.
INC:
- Reintroduction of the Old Pension Scheme
- Subsidized LPG cylinders at Rs 750 for poor households
- ‘Tang Puihna’ scheme — Rs 2 lakh financial assistance to farmers and entrepreneurs to develop sustainable economic and livelihood activities.
- Budgetary provision of Rs 5 crore every year, for Cancer patients.
- ‘Young Mizo entrepreneurs programme’ to fund startups.
- Old-age pension of Rs 2,000 per month.
- Health insurance cover of Rs 15 lakh per family for Hospital treatments.
Having a strong hold over the years and with a strong alliance by their side, will MNF maintain its winning streak?
