Mumbai: Given the lower voter turnout in Mumbai in the previous elections, the BMC has undertaken several initiatives to boost voter participation in the November 20 state polls.

Some of the key efforts include the rationalisation of polling stations (ensuring that they are at convenient distance), establishment of voting facilities within housing societies and making essential facilities available at polling stations.

BMC Chief Bhushan Gagrani Reviews Election Arrangements

BMC chief Bhushan Gagrani, who is also the district election officer, reviewed the election arrangements on Friday. Steps have been taken to address past issues like distant polling stations and long queues. As a result, polling stations have been rationalised for better convenience. Their number has increased from 2,509 in the previous Lok Sabha elections to 2,538 in Mumbai.

Similarly, now there are 7,574 voting booths in the suburbs as compared to 7,384 in general polls. Other initiatives include ‘Know Your Polling Station’ campaign, transportation facility for Person with Disability voters.

“Awareness campaigns are being amplified through media, street plays, celebrity outreach and activities like rap songs and flash mobs,” said a civic official. Polling stations have been rationalised to accommodate 1,200 to 1,300 voters each, with increased stations in high-rise buildings.

The Congress has filed a complaint against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah with the Election Commission of India (ECI) for their alleged “false, divisive, malicious and slanderous statements which breach norms of electoral conduct and extant law”.

About The Case Of PM Modi

In the case of Modi, it charged that during an election rally at Nashik and Dhule on November 8 he made a series of false, malicious, and slanderous statements targeting the Congress and its allies. The complaints with respect to Modi, filed by Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, said Modi claimed that the current leadership of the Congress was “opposed to the interests of the ST, SC and OBC communities” and was “actively promoting infighting” among these communities. In this regard, the Congress cited a transcribed version of Modi’s statement, in which he said, “On the one hand, Congress and its allies in J&K want to snatch rights of Dalits, Tribals and OBCs by demanding restoration of Article 370. On the other hand, they wave a blank red book in the name of the Constitution to hoodwink Dalits, Tribals and OBCs in Maharashtra.”

The Congress also quoted Modi as saying that “the three former Congress PMs – Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi & Rajiv Gandhi were opposed to giving reservations to Dalits, Tribals and OBCs. The Congress claimed that “the tone and tenor of the entire speech is further evidence of the speaker’s (Modi’s) intention to create and spread religious and caste-based animosity.”

Similarly, during an election rally in Chandrapur on November 12, the Congress accused Modi of repeating his “false and unfounded allegations”. Here it quoted Modi as saying, “If the Adivasi community gets divided into castes, it will end its identity and strength. The prince of Congress (Rahul Gandhi) has announced this in a foreign country.”

About The Case Of Home Minister Amit Shah

Similarly, in the case of Amit Shah, the Congress accused him of levelling false allegations against the party and its leaders during his election rally in Dhanbad on November 12. Stating that these actions constitute a violation of the Model Code of Conduct and the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and also constitute offences punishable under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, for promoting enmity and discord amongst different communities with the sole purpose of making some marginal and imagined electoral gains, the Congress demanded that the Commission conduct a thorough investigation in these matters and direct the registration of a criminal case against all the individuals involved in the BJP’s vitriolic and blatantly violative electoral campaign in Maharashtra.

It also demanded that orders be passed banning the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister from conducting any election-related activities for the remainder of the election period.

Congress MP and leader Rahul Gandhi made a major election promise on Friday, vowing to pay farmers Rs 7000 per quintal for their soyabean crops should his party come to power. He also pledged that the difference between the minimum support price (MSP) and the Rs 7,000 rate would be provided as a bonus. Additionally, Gandhi announced plans to form a committee to determine a fair price for onion and set an MSE for cotton.

In a tweet, Gandhi criticised the BJP’s record on MSP for soybean, stating: “For the last three elections; the BIP has been promising Rs 6,000 MSP for soybean, yet farmers are still forced to sell their hard-earned crop for just Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 per quintal,” promising, “Maha Vikas Aghadi will ensure justice, fair prices, and a fair return for farmers’ hard work.” This promise is significant in light of the ongoing demand from farmers for better MSP for soyabean, cotton, and onions.

BJP’s Pledge

The BJP has also pledged Rs 6.000 per quintal for soybean in its manifesto and proposed the establishment of a dedicated supply chain system to boost soyabean production, processing and MSP. At a recent rally in Vidarbha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had echoed the BIPs commitment, stating, “The Mahayuti government has promised to give Rs 6,000 per quintal for soyabean.”

Rahul Gandhi’s announcement also comes as part of Congress’s broader strategy to appeal to voters with significant promises. For instance, the party has also vowed to provide Rs 3,000 a month to women under the Mahalaxmi Yojana. In contrast, the BJP—led Mahayuti alliance has pledged to raise the amount provided under the Ladki Bahin Scheme from the current Rs 1,500 to Rs2,100. In response, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde addressed a rally in Nanded, defending his government’s support for farmers.

“Our government has provided Rs 15,000 crore in assistance to farmers over the last two years,” Shinde said. “We are committed to helping soyabean and cotton farmers and have decided to waive farm loans. We will also expand soyabean procurement centres in the state and implement the ‘Bhavantar’ scheme to compensate farmers for losses after MSP is paid.” ‘With these announcements, both the Congress and BJP are seeking to strengthen their positions ahead of the upcoming elections by appealing to the state’s crucial farming community.