Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 : Maharashtra Government’s Strategic SC-OBC Outreach Ahead of Assembly Polls

Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024

Mumbai | 10 Oct. 2024 | In a bid to consolidate crucial voter bases ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena-NCP alliance has taken significant steps to secure the support of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Facing a stiff electoral contest from the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, the state government has rolled out a series of policies aimed at addressing the concerns of these two key communities.

On Thursday, the Maharashtra cabinet made pivotal decisions that reflect the government’s intention to appeal to SC and OBC groups. Among these decisions is the approval of an ordinance granting constitutional status to the Maharashtra State Scheduled Caste Commission. In addition to this, the cabinet also pushed forward a proposal urging the central government to raise the income ceiling for inclusion in the “creamy layer” of OBCs from ₹8 lakh to ₹15 lakh annually.

The Importance of SC and OBC Voter Outreach

The SC and OBC populations form a substantial segment of the electorate in Maharashtra, and their support is vital for any political party aiming to secure victory in the state elections. The timing of the government’s decisions is notable, as it comes at a moment when the ruling coalition faces significant challenges. The opposition MVA—comprising the Congress, the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and the Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena—stunned the ruling alliance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by winning a majority of Maharashtra’s seats.

The opposition’s success is attributed to its ability to form effective caste alliances, particularly with SC and OBC communities. The MVA secured 30 of Maharashtra’s 48 Lok Sabha seats, while the BJP saw its tally drastically reduced from 23 seats to just nine. The Ajit Pawar-led NCP also suffered, managing to win only one seat. This setback has forced the ruling coalition to reconsider its electoral strategy, with a renewed focus on addressing the needs of marginalized communities.

Thursday’s decisions are seen as an attempt to counter the MVA’s gains and win back support from SC and OBC voters. By granting constitutional status to the SC Commission, the government has taken a significant step toward ensuring that issues concerning the Scheduled Castes are addressed more effectively and with greater legal backing. The commission will now have 27 approved posts, which will strengthen its ability to address grievances and oversee the implementation of policies affecting SC communities.

Raising the Creamy Layer Ceiling for OBCs

The second key decision of the cabinet relates to the creamy layer income criterion for OBCs. Currently, the income ceiling for OBCs to avail themselves of reservation benefits is ₹8 lakh per annum. However, the state government has proposed to the Centre that this limit be raised to ₹15 lakh. A non-creamy layer certificate is required for OBCs to benefit from government job reservations and educational opportunities. Raising this ceiling will expand the number of OBC families who qualify for these benefits, thus directly appealing to a larger portion of the electorate.

The decision to raise the creamy layer ceiling comes in the context of similar moves by other states. In Haryana, for example, the BJP government increased the creamy layer ceiling from ₹6 lakh to ₹8 lakh ahead of its state elections. This decision was seen as instrumental in helping the BJP defy predictions of anti-incumbency and secure a third consecutive term in power. Maharashtra’s ruling coalition is likely hoping to replicate this success by appealing to OBC voters through similar means.

Lok Sabha Learnings and the Political Landscape

The BJP’s poor performance in Maharashtra during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections has been a wake-up call for the ruling alliance. Despite its national success, winning 240 constituencies across India, the BJP’s performance in Maharashtra was dismal, particularly in comparison to the gains made by the MVA. The Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) were able to craft a strong narrative around caste alliances, while also attacking the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on issues related to reservations.

One of the key accusations leveled by the opposition was that the BJP and its allies were working to dismantle the reservation system. The MVA repeatedly claimed that the BJP, if given more than 400 seats in the Lok Sabha, would end reservations altogether. This narrative resonated strongly with SC and OBC communities, who felt threatened by the possibility of losing reservation benefits. Thursday’s cabinet decisions appear to be an attempt to blunt these attacks and reassure these communities that their interests are being safeguarded by the ruling government.

Impact of the SC and OBC Outreach

The Maharashtra government’s outreach to SC and OBC communities could have a significant impact on the upcoming assembly elections. The constitutional status of the SC Commission ensures that issues affecting SC communities will be addressed with greater authority and legal backing. At the same time, the proposal to raise the creamy layer ceiling for OBCs opens the door for more families to benefit from reservations, potentially strengthening the ruling coalition’s support base.

However, the success of these initiatives will depend on several factors. First, the central government’s response to the proposal to raise the creamy layer ceiling will be critical. If the Centre agrees to increase the income limit to ₹15 lakh, it could help the ruling coalition make inroads among OBC voters. Conversely, if the Centre does not approve the proposal, it could weaken the impact of the government’s outreach efforts.

Moreover, the opposition MVA is likely to continue its focus on caste alliances and reservation issues, framing itself as the protector of SC and OBC interests. The upcoming election is shaping up to be a high-stakes battle, with both the ruling alliance and the opposition vying for the support of key communities.

As the Maharashtra Assembly elections approach, the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP coalition is making strategic moves to secure the support of SC and OBC communities. By granting constitutional status to the SC Commission and proposing to raise the creamy layer ceiling for OBCs, the government is addressing the concerns of two key voter groups. Whether these measures will be enough to counter the opposition’s gains and secure victory for the ruling coalition remains to be seen, but they underscore the importance of caste dynamics in Maharashtra’s political landscape.