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The political landscape of Maharashtra continues to be fraught with tension, as the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) continues to challenge the ruling Mahayuti coalition government. NCP chief Sharad Pawar has escalated this tension, accusing the government of “cheating” women with the implementation of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin income support scheme. This scheme, aimed at providing financial assistance to women, has become a focal point of contention between the two political blocs.
Pawar, during a press conference alongside Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress leaders, argued that the Ladki Bahin scheme lacks transparency and financial clarity. He expressed concerns about the sustainability of the scheme, questioning the government’s ability to adequately fund it. Pawar declared that his party would not oppose the scheme if the government provided clear and separate financial provisions for its implementation. The MVA also released a “White paper” outlining alleged failures of the Maharashtra government across various domains, including women’s safety, farmer’s distress, and the collapse of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue.
The Ladki Bahin scheme, launched in August this year, has been met with mixed reactions. While the Mahayuti government touts it as one of their key achievements, the MVA maintains that the state lacks the financial resources to sustain the scheme. The government allocated ₹46,000 crore to implement the scheme in the state Budget in July, a move that has been met with skepticism from the opposition. Uddhav Thackeray, leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), has accused the government of using the scheme for political gain, claiming that they are attempting to mislead voters with advertisements and false narratives. Thackeray further criticized the scheme, stating that it aims to make people “betray Maharashtra dharma” by providing them with their own money through the scheme.
The debate surrounding the Ladki Bahin scheme reflects the deeper political divide in Maharashtra. The MVA, seeking to capitalize on the perceived financial mismanagement and lack of transparency surrounding the scheme, is utilizing it as a platform to highlight their criticisms of the Mahayuti government. The government, in turn, is attempting to defend the scheme, emphasizing its benefits and highlighting the opposition’s attempts to undermine it. This ongoing exchange highlights the political stakes involved in implementing such schemes, especially as the state gears up for the upcoming assembly elections.
The political stage is set for a heated campaign, with both sides utilizing various tactics to secure their position. Thackeray’s challenge to the Mahayuti alliance to announce their CM face is a further indication of the upcoming political battle. The MVA is actively seeking to position themselves as the rightful alternative to the current ruling coalition, while the Mahayuti government is striving to defend its record and maintain its grip on power. The upcoming elections will determine the fate of both alliances, with the Ladki Bahin scheme becoming one of the key battlegrounds in this political war.
Source: ‘Cheating’: Sharad Pawar attacks Eknath Shinde govt over Ladki Bahin income support scheme for women