As Maharashtra moves toward the crucial Vidhan Sabha elections, the political environment has evolved into a contest centered around "revdis" — a term for freebies that political parties are using to attract voter support. In a state that is considered one of India's richest, the allure of immediate financial relief has taken center stage in the political race. The major political fronts, namely the BJP-led ruling Mahayuti alliance and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), are now competing fiercely with their extravagant promises in a bid to win over voters. As a result, the upcoming elections are not just about leadership but about which party can offer the most attractive packages to the electorate.
The MVA alliance, which includes Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Congress, has introduced a wide range of promises under its "Loksevechi Panchasutri" scheme. Their manifesto promises a substantial cash flow to various sections of the society, including women, farmers, youth, and low-income families. Among the key promises is a monthly cash benefit of Rs 3,000 for women, along with free bus rides for them. The MVA has also pledged to waive farm loans of up to Rs 3 lakh, alongside an additional Rs 50,000 for those farmers who repay their loans promptly. Furthermore, they have promised Rs 4,000 per month to unemployed youth and health insurance of up to Rs 25 lakh for the economically disadvantaged, framing these initiatives as necessary welfare measures to uplift the poor and marginalized.
On the other hand, the Mahayuti coalition, led by the BJP and consisting of Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar), is under increasing pressure to match or exceed the MVA's generous promises. The Mahayuti has been offering freebies for some time but has been forced to intensify its pledges to keep up in the electoral race. The flagship Ladki Bahin scheme, which originally promised Rs 1,500 per month to women and senior citizens, has been revised to Rs 2,100 per month. Additionally, the Mahayuti has also proposed financial aid to students and farmers, with Rs 10,000 per month for students and an increase in financial support for farmers from Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000.
This race to promise ever-higher doles has been accompanied by political contradictions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has previously been outspoken about his concerns regarding the "revdi culture" — criticizing it as unsustainable and damaging to the country’s growth — is now seeing his own party embrace this very approach in the high-stakes contest. In March, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman publicly rebuked the opposition for offering "revdis" during election campaigns, labeling them a "fancy basket of lollipops" designed to distract voters with superficial incentives. However, the BJP now finds itself caught in the paradox of having to present its own offerings as part of its electoral strategy while simultaneously attacking the MVA's promises as irresponsible and unsustainable.
The Mahayuti alliance, aiming to counter the MVA's promises, has been quick to ramp up its own social welfare programs. As part of this competition, the BJP has not only increased the cash assistance to women and farmers but has also broadened its appeal to students. The BJP, however, continues to frame its promises as part of an inclusive welfare program that is grounded in realism and economic viability, as opposed to the MVA’s guarantees, which it claims are mere “hollow promises.”
The contest over which alliance is offering more has expanded into a national conversation about the morality and feasibility of distributing such large-scale freebies. The MVA has framed its promises as "guarantees," emphasizing their long-term commitment to public welfare. This strategic shift in language — from "freebies" to "guarantees" — is an effort to position these benefits as a future investment in the state’s well-being, rather than short-term, election-focused handouts. Uddhav Thackeray has argued that these promises are essential given what he describes as the BJP's failure to deliver on jobs and economic recovery, particularly in rural areas, where people are facing severe economic challenges.
On the contrary, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the BJP have criticized the MVA’s promises as deceptive and politically motivated. They argue that these commitments are unrealistic and will strain the state’s finances, particularly when there is already a significant fiscal deficit. The BJP’s message, as articulated by Fadnavis, is that it is the party offering pragmatic solutions with a clear focus on economic recovery, job creation, and infrastructural development, as opposed to mere populist giveaways.
While both sides clash over the issue of freebies, experts, and analysts are sounding alarm bells about the long-term economic consequences of such promises. The economic sustainability of these offers is under scrutiny, with several analysts pointing out that funding such schemes would require the diversion of money from critical infrastructure projects, leading to a slowdown in development. Some even fear that such lavish guarantees could strain the state’s finances to the breaking point, resulting in inflation and reduced public investment in essential services.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, another prominent BJP leader from Maharashtra, has raised concerns about the economic viability of these grand promises. He questioned the timing of these subsidies, pointing out that the government already faces challenges in meeting its obligations to investors and other development initiatives. Gadkari’s warning suggests that while the revdi culture may win votes in the short term, it could jeopardize the state’s fiscal stability and undermine investor confidence in the long term.
Despite the mounting concerns, many voters, particularly in rural areas, are excited by the immediate financial relief these promises provide. While some remain cautious, unsure of whether these pledges will actually come to fruition after the elections, the overall sentiment seems to favor the party offering the most generous doles. This dynamic has led to what seems like a "race to the bottom" in terms of the promises being made, with both sides trying to outdo each other with ever more attractive offers.
The real test of these promises, however, will come after the election results. As Maharashtra prepares for its election on November 20, the political debate surrounding these giveaways is unlikely to subside. As the battle of revdis heats up, the future of Maharashtra’s economy, the stability of its finances, and the sincerity of these promises remain major points of contention. With each party hoping for a "sweet" outcome, the stakes are high — and the promises even higher.
