Will the polls change Maharashtra's fortunes?

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Maharashtra. One of the 28 states of India. In literal translation, its name means 'Bigger or Greater Nation'. However, we are not here on the etymology of the name of India's second most populous state and the third largest in terms of size. There was a time in the 1960s, 70s and the 80s, when Maharashtra was indeed recognised for many attributes of greatness ― as a leader in industrialization, as a pioneer in the cooperative movement, as a high-performer in the quality of administration, etc. Its people could proudly say, with some justification, "Mera Maharashtra Mahan". Not any more. As the state prepares to elect a new legislative assembly on October 13, the new government ― whatever its complexion and composition might be ― faces a daunting set of development challenges. Consider the following stark facts, all culled from the Planning Commission's latest (2007) 'Maharashtra Development Report',....