The state assembly election in Maharashtra is now approaching fast. While all parties and players are engaged in the most intense electioneering, major issues facing the populace have taken a back seat. Despite the diversities in terms of development and growth among them, each of these regions is known for its local problems. Though called the most affluent state in the country, the different regions have been showing unbelievable differences in various forms. Expectedly, the people in them are hoping that the next government will bring in the sweet gift prosperity for them.
Western Maharashtra is the most powerful region in Maharashtra, politically and culturally. This is the region which has a rich history. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was from this area though he chose Raigad in the Konkan to establish his capital. The Maratha Empire operating from Pune under the Peshwa regime was spread to the present-day Pakistan and several parts of north India. The region is famous for its intellectual and social reform achievements. Besides Pune, the important cities include Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur. While Pune is known as the seat of learning, it is now emerging as an Information Technology hub of India. The progressive farmers of the region export exotic fruits and cut flowers to many countries. Thanks to the proliferation of irrigation projects, western Maharashtra is also known for its sprawling agricultural zones. The main cash crop is, of course, the sugarcane. Under the firm control of the Congress party once upon a time, the region is now divided among all major parties. The NCP led by Sharad Pawar and the BJP have multiple strong pockets. The real battle for the assembly will be fought in this region, it is presumed.
It has been accepted as a cardinal fact that Marathwada is the most backward region in the state. Except for towns like Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad), Jalna, Nanded, or Latur, Marathwada has little to highlight as its showpiece. The main reason is that it was a part of the province of the Nizam, the ruler of Hyderabad princely state. Hence, its integration with the Marathi-speaking parts of the state of Maharashtra was prolonged. Even after 75 years of independence, Marathwada still has many developmental backlog problems. They mainly include water scarcity, absence of industrial activity and lesser literacy rate. Hence, the region is totally dependent on agriculture, which is affected by periodic droughts. The region is in the dry Deccan plateau and hence unsuited for agricultural growth. The region’s political careers are decided by a strong caste factor. This was seen in the Lok Sabha election and can be expected to play a dominant role again.
Vidarbha is set quite far away from the rest of Maharashtra. Historically, it was part of the Central Provinces region and not the Bombay Presidency. The major cities include Nagpur, Chandrapur, Amaravati, Wardha, and Yavatmal. Nagpur brings the region a lot of wealth, however some areas of Vidarbha are quite backward. Much of this can be explained a high Adivasi population, and the Adivasi community tends to be backward. Vidarbha shares a lot of similarities with Chhattisgarh and southern Madhya Pradesh, which are in the major tribal zones of India. The Gonds and Bhilis are in high numbers in this region. In fact, there is a city near both the Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh borders called Gondia. Apart from that, Vidarbha also has a strong farming community. The region is not as dry and unsuited as Marathwada is. Vidarbha also has a higher prevalence of forests in which there is no cultivated land, quite rare in Maharashtra. Land is generally hilly but not mountainous like Konkan. Vidarbha is generally Brahmin dominated, and can be reflected in the prevalence of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the region. The local Marathi culture is very influenced by neighboring Madhya Pradesh. The Varhadi dialect spoken there is quite similar to Hindi. The food is heavily wheat-based.
Popularly known as Khandesh, several districts in north Maharashtra have remained devoid of real progress. Hence, a complaint is frequently heard that Khandesh is the most side-lined region of Maharashtra. In the political free for all, this region is somehow less discussed. Its major cities include Nashik, Jalgaon, Malegaon and Dhule. There is some industrial development in Nashik but overall, the region has agriculture as the principal employment avenue. Jalgaon, on the other hand, is a major marketplace, especially for gold and silver. But such businesses hardly generate mass employment. On the other hand, Nandurbar and Dhule have been tribal areas. This belt of Khandesh shares its borders with Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. By and large, the farmland is used for dryland agriculture.
Except for demanding water for daily use and irrigation, leaders of the region are not known for demanding industry or educational institutions in a united voice. The electorate comprises of the wealthy Leva Patil community, the Maratha caste and a mix of other sections. In short, there is no single dominant community. Over the years, the BJP has established many strongholds while the power is shared by the factions of the NCP and the Shiv Sena.
The best paradox in the state is seen in the Konkan region. While major cities like Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and their adjoining areas are quite rich due to the fantastic infrastructure development, smaller towns like Alibaug, Mahad, Ratnagiri, Khed or Malvan in deep Konkan are still deprived of any major growth centres. It is true that tier-three cities like Vasai and Virar are swelling owing to the unbridled urban growth, the quality of life in them is lamentable. Lakhs of people commute every day in sub-human conditions in packed local trains. Taking to roads is extremely tiring as it takes hours to traverse a distance of a few kilometres. In rural Konkan, it’s always been stricken with poverty. There are pockets of wealth but they are belonging to individuals, who are very few. Excessive monsoon does not allow water storage since there are no adequate irrigation projects. Rice, mango and beetle nuts are the main farm produce, which are unable to make farmers self-reliant. The only change over the past decade is that several home-stay tourist facilities are coming up. Many villages in the region have started small hotels and eateries. Politically, the Konkan region has been the backbone of the Shiv Sena but its splintering has made many of these leaders uncertain of their future. In the coming election, the Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray will be facing a stern challenge from the BJP, whose leader is the influential Narayan Rane. Opposition to mega industrial complexes is the watchword in the Konkan. As a result, certain projects have relocated in other states. However, such important issues are seldom highlighted. The campaigning is completely dominated by political expediencies.
Various political parties will argue that the issues of development, agriculture, poverty and local aspirations will find a place in their manifestos. However, it will be an attempt to just claim that attention is paid to the most urgent needs of the state. But the fact remains that it will be too little and too late.
A Column By
Dilip Chaware – Senior Editor
A media professional for 43 years, with extensive experience of writing on
a variety of subjects; he is also a documentary producer and book author.
