The Question Is — Do Politicians Really Care About People's Issues?
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The state of Maharashtra has voted for the Assembly elections following a strongly polarised campaign. For the past six weeks, we travelled through several regions in the state — Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Nashik, Sangli, Marathwada, and Vidarbha. Everywhere we went, there were two clear sentiments among voters — confusion and distrust — given the unstable politics in the past two-and-a-half years.
The question is, beyond those 'party vs party headlines’, were people's voices actually heard?
The campaign was highly polarised on communal lines with the BJP pushing the narrative of 'vote jihad'.
The question is — Is there any basis for such claims?
We explained why the narrative is highly problematic and goes against every Constitutional and democratic oath taken by the state's deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.
'Vote Jihad': How Muslim Hate Was Sold in a New Package in Maharashtra Elections
By May this year, 73% of the state was declared drought-prone with more suicides of farmers recorded in the state just in the first half of the year.
While people forget the issue beyond the data, the question is — does anybody actually know what happens to those families the farmers leave behind?
We told you the stories of the orphans of Marathwada and how so many of them get pushed into acute poverty, child labour, and child marriages.
Labour, Child Marriages: What Befalls Children of Maharashtra's Farmer Suicides
By now, every voter of Maharashtra knows about the 'Laadki Bahin' Yojana. One such beneficiary, Laxmi, was so happy with the direct cash transfer scheme that she met CM Eknath Shinde on Raksha Bandhan and tied a Rakhi. Two days later, she was detained by the police when she was protesting against the molestation of two minor girls in a school in Badlapur. Like Laxmi, scores of protesters are still facing legal repercussions of the demonstrations that took place in Badlapur on 20 August, including normal citizens and mothers of those who did not resort to violence.
The question is — Why have they been abandoned by politicians?
'I Tied Rakhi to CM, Was Detained 2 Days Later for Badlapur Molestation Protest'
Similarly, several parties have also been making tall claims about bringing the transgender community to the mainstream. Some promises have also been made in party manifestos for the LGBTQIA+ community by Opposition parties.
But the question is — why has only one party fielded a transgender candidate?
We spoke to transgender Shameebha Patil about her candidature and her views on the promises made for queer Maharashtra in party manifestos.
'Patriarchy Doesn't Care for Women, Forget Us': Sole Maharashtra Trans Candidate
Every region, and city of Taluka you go to, the local issues of the people matter the most.
Like the Dharavi redevelopment project that has pushed lakhs of lives into uncertainty...
'Only an Election Issue': Dharavi Reporters Tell Facts of Redevelopment Politics
'Smallest Businesses Feed 25 People': Dharavi Redevelopment & Fear of Job Losses
Or the lone fight of Pune's citizens against unruly pubs before the Porsche accident…
'Begged for Action for 2 Years': Shadow of Porsche Case on Pune's Pubs & Polls
Or the grim figures of unemployment in the state, with jobs being an issue for 24% of the voters…
Maharashtra Elections: High Unemployment Among Graduates, Jobs Voters' Top Issue
Maharashtra Polls: Mahayuti Vs Maha Vikas Aghadi – Who is Promising More Jobs?
The question is — Do the politicians really care about these issues that matter to the people?
Through our election coverage, we at The Quint have strived to bring forth the voices of the people beyond all the noise and the narratives. And as the results are slated to be announced on 23 November, we shall bring you LIVE coverage and detailed analyses of the people's mandate. Follow The Quint's coverage of the results of both Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections on Saturday.
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Thank you,
ESHWAR
Associate Editor
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