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The political landscape of Maharashtra is heating up with the upcoming assembly elections, and the rivalry between the ruling alliance and the opposition is intensifying. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has accused Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray of spreading fake narratives to discredit the ruling government's initiatives. Shinde, who split from the Shiv Sena in 2022, claims that Thackeray's accusations are politically motivated and that the ground is slipping from under his feet due to the popularity of the Ladki Bahin Yojna scheme.
The Ladki Bahin Yojna, a welfare scheme aimed at women in the state, provides a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500. Shinde asserts that the scheme has resonated with women and that the opposition, sensing its impact, is desperately trying to undermine it. He claims the opposition has been resorting to court challenges and spreading disinformation to discredit the scheme. Shinde emphasizes the scheme's popularity, noting that 1.5 crore women have applied for it, and he has vowed to increase the allowance if the ruling alliance is re-elected.
The conflict between Shinde and Thackeray underscores the growing political divide in Maharashtra. While Shinde argues that the Ladki Bahin Yojna is a testament to the ruling alliance's commitment to women's empowerment, Thackeray sees it as an election gimmick. The upcoming assembly elections are likely to witness a fierce battle between the two factions, with the Ladki Bahin Yojna potentially emerging as a key issue in the campaign. It remains to be seen whether the scheme will translate into electoral gains for the ruling alliance or whether the opposition can successfully exploit the perceived vulnerabilities to secure a victory.