Inflation, unemployment and rural distress emerged as key issues in the general election and surveys show these remain uppermost ahead of the state elections.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde accompanied by his deputies Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar hands a symbolic cheque to a beneficiary of a government welfare scheme, in Kinhi, Maharshtra, India Aug.24, 2024.
Credit: X/Devendra Fadnavis, Reuters/File Photo