Maharashtra Assembly polls: CM Shinde launches Sena campaign, promises ‘affordable homes, slum-free Mumbai’

Campaigning for Kudalkar, Shinde said, “If we can work so much in two-and-a-half years, imagine how much we will work in five years.” The Shiv Sena chief also accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of making false promises to get votes in Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka Assembly elections, and “cheating people” after coming to power.

Highlighting the collaborative efforts between central and state administrations, Shinde showcased welfare initiatives such as the “Ladki Bahin Yojana,” which disbursed its November instalment ahead of schedule, silencing Opposition criticism. He promised that December’s funds would also be advanced after the elections and expressed his intention to increase the current Rs 1,500 allocation to further support Maharashtra’s women.

“If launching initiatives such as Ladki Bahin Yojana is a crime, I’m ready to commit a thousand such crimes. Sisters of all castes and religions have benefited from this scheme. It is our aim to make our sisters Lakh Pati,” Shinde said, pledging that the scheme will continue uninterrupted.

“In the past two years, we have worked to give to people but those who were in power in Mumbai for 25 years did nothing but corruptions and scam. They indulged in Rs 3,500-crore corruption for road repair,” he said.

The CM also provided updates on welfare programmes, including the increased insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh under the Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, targeted support for youth employment with the ‘Ladka Bhau Yojana’, and expanded access to free higher education for girls statewide.

Hailing Kudalkar as a tireless advocate for Kurla, Shinde urged voters of Kurla and Andheri East to stand with Mahayuti candidates, adding, “Defeating Mangesh Kudalkar and Murji Patel isn’t just difficult; it’s impossible.”

In a veiled criticism of Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray, he said, “We will give the poor affordable homes. Don’t the poor have the right to a house in Mumbai? Can’t the son of a poor farmer be CM? Or only those born with a silver spoon can become CM?” Urging the crowd to “teach a lesson to those who call your benefits ‘revdis’ (freebies)”, Shinde attacked the Opposition for criticising the Ladki Bahin Yojana and even taking legal action against it. “Be careful of these evil brothers,” he said.

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shinde expressed his vision for Maharashtra, saying, “The Centre wants to make Maharashtra a powerhouse of growth and Mumbai the country’s fintech capital.” Shinde also said that the Mahayuti will unveil its manifesto in the next two to three days and assured the crowd that every promise would be fulfilled.