‘Ladki Bahin Yojana is the game changer’: Ahead of Assembly polls, CM Eknath Shinde, deputies project united front

“The Ladki Bahin Yojana is the game changer. The monthly allowance of Rs 1,500 to 2.5 crore women (in the 18 to 65-year age group) has received an overwhelming response across rural and urban Maharashtra,” Shinde said.

After the Lok Sabha polls saw the Mahayuti put up a dismal performance by winning 17 seats as against the MVA’s 30, the Shinde government initiated a course correction by announcing a financial assistance scheme for women to consolidate its vote bank. By reaching out to 2.5 crore women through the Ladki Bahin Yojana, the Mahayuti has covered 50 per cent of the 4.6 crore voters in the state.

“The Opposition MVA is utterly confused. The Opposition has sensed that the ground is slipping under its feet with women and the common man reposing faith in the Mahayuti,” Shinde said.

Drawing a parallel with the MVA government led by then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, Shinde said, “In two and a half years, we took 900 decisions, which were essentially to empower the common man. Whereas during the MVA regime (2019-22), the concept of governance was missing. Instead, they came across as a non-performing and corrupt government.”

Fadnavis, who as home minister has come under attack from the Opposition following Baba Siddique’s murder, referred to the NCP leader’s killing as an “unfortunate incident”. “Those guilty will be subjected to the harshest punishment,” Fadnavis said.

“The question is, during the MVA regime, their home minister (Anil Deshmukh) was imprisoned for corruption. A police officer planted a bomb outside an industrialist’s house. To avoid being exposed, he killed a person. What moral right does the MVA have to talk about law and order?” Fadnavis hit back.

Reflecting on his government’s policy decisions in core sectors, Fadnavis said, “The reforms initiated through agriculture and irrigation will go a long way in making Marathwada drought-free and making farming sustainable for farmers. From free electricity to farmers using 7.5 HP pumps to the installation of solar panels to provide uninterrupted power 12 hours a day, (we) will change the lives and livelihood of farmers.”

The decisions taken in the social sector are the mainstay of the government, Fadnavis added. “Whether it is Marathas, OBCs, Adivasis, Dalits, Dhangars and others, we have addressed the concerns of each and every community through welfare schemes,” he added.

Fadnavis also referred to the Rs 90,000 crore Wainganga-Nalganga river linking project and the move to channelise surplus water from western flowing rivers to the Godavari basin to resolve the decades-old drought issue in Maharashtra. The ongoing mega irrigation projects will not only make the state drought-free but also resolve the inter-region differences between districts in Marathwada versus North Maharashtra.

Another project highlighted by Fadnavis was the all-weather greenfield deep draft major port at Vadhavan. The project will contribute to the Centre and the state for 25 to 30 years by generating revenue and employment, he said.

Fadnavis also mounted a scathing attack on the Opposition. “They have a single agenda to criticise the government by weaving a fake narrative as they cannot question us on governance and development work,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pawar said that the holistic development approach of the Mahayuti had helped farmers, women, students, and senior citizens through various welfare schemes.

“When the Ladki Bahin Yojana was launched, the Opposition predicted its failure by questioning funding. We proved them wrong as the decision was taken after thorough homework, including budgetary allocation of Rs 45,000 crore for the scheme for a year,” Pawar, who holds the finance portfolio, revealed.

“The scheme is not temporary. It will continue and the CM has indicated that allowances will be hiked further,” Pawar added. Keeping the Model Code of Conduct in mind, the government had released the November allowance in advance, Pawar said, adding that every beneficiary has received five instalments, a total of Rs 7,500.

Discussing the seat-sharing formula, Fadnavis said, “Talks are underway. We have covered almost 80 per cent of the seats…issues with the remaining seats will get resolved through discussions.”

Asked if Union Home Minister Amit Shah has urged Shinde to show more flexibility as the BJP made him CM in place of Fadnavis, who was the front-runner for the post, Shinde said, “There was no such discussion.” Fadnavis added, “When we have a meeting, it is between us. How does anybody draw such conclusions?”