Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a key Congress figure, will kick off his campaign for the Maharashtra Assembly elections today in Nagpur. He will participate in a “Samvidhan Sammelan” (Conference on Constitution) before moving on to a public meeting in Mumbai, where the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is anticipated to unveil its electoral promises.
The choice of Nagpur is significant as it serves as the headquarters for the RSS, the ideological foundation of the BJP, and is also the location where B.R. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism in 1956. The Vidarbha region, which includes Nagpur, plays a vital role in the electoral battle, with 36 out of 76 constituencies contested directly by the BJP and Congress located here. The BJP has put forward the most candidates in Vidarbha, highlighting the necessity for the MVA to perform well in this area to regain power in Maharashtra.
Historically, Vidarbha has been a Congress stronghold, but the party’s influence waned as the BJP captured 44 out of 62 Assembly seats. In the last elections, the BJP’s tally decreased to 29 while Congress only managed 15 seats. However, Congress’s performance in recent Lok Sabha elections—securing four out of ten seats—has provided some grounds for optimism.
The INDIA alliance secured seven Lok Sabha constituencies in the region, leaving three for the MahaYuti alliance. The Congress and MVA’s success has largely stemmed from their focus on issues surrounding the Constitution, caste reservations, and census-related matters. The Opposition has raised concerns that a stronger BJP mandate could threaten constitutional rights and the reservation system, which resonates particularly in Vidarbha, known for its strong Dalit movement and significant OBC population.
Two prominent Congress leaders, State President Nana Patole and Assembly Leader of the Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar, hail from Vidarbha, supported by several influential second-tier leaders.
Gandhi’s schedule for today includes a visit to Deekshabhoomi, where Ambedkar converted to Buddhism, followed by the Constitution conference organized by the non-political group OBC Yuva Manch. According to Anil Jaihind, the event’s organizer, the conference aims to protect the Constitution, especially amid concerns over the Maharashtra government’s plan to introduce Manusmriti in school curricula.
The event is designed to be apolitical, adhering to the Model Code of Conduct, with participation from numerous organizations across the state. Later in the evening, a “Swabhiman Sabha” will take place in Mumbai, featuring speeches by Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, and NCP President Sharad Pawar, where the MVA’s electoral pledges are expected to be disclosed, likely covering issues such as farm loan waivers, caste census, and possibly a Universal Basic Income scheme to rival the Shinde government’s Majhi Ladki Bahin initiative.