CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, addressing party workers in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Sunday, accused the Eknath Shinde government of using schemes like the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana to lure women voters ahead of the Maharashtra assembly polls.
Thackeray asserted that these initiatives would cease in two to three months.He also repeated his call for farm loan waivers, aligning with the government’s scheme to write off electricity bills for farmers, and accused the BJP of creating divisions among castes in Maharashtra.
Thackeray emphasized the need for the central government to pass a law in Parliament to raise the reservation cap from 50 percent, which would facilitate quotas for Marathas and other communities without harming the interests of Other Backward Classes.
He expressed skepticism about the longevity of recently announced schemes, saying, “Many schemes are being launched. This is a ploy to lure women voters before the polls. The schemes are only for two-three months. Their (the ruling alliance) government will not return and even if it returns, the schemes will be wrapped up after that.”
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced several sops in the state budget, presented last week, ahead of the likely October-November state polls. Among these schemes are the Mukhyamantri Annapoorna Yojana, Mukhyamantri Yuva Karyaprashikshan Yojana, Mukhyamantri Krishi Pump Yojana, Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, and a scheme to provide free education to women.
The Mukhyamantri Annopoorn Yojana aims to give three free cylinders to women, while the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana will provide a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500 to eligible women in the 21-60 age group.
Thackeray criticized the government’s execution of these schemes, alleging, “Schemes are being announced but there is a drought when it comes to their implementation. The government is trying to hide its sins with these schemes.”
Reflecting on the recent Lok Sabha polls, Thackeray admitted the defeat of Shiv Sena (UBT) candidates in Aurangabad, Raigad, and Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg was disappointing.
He urged his workers to question voters about the loss of party candidate Chandrakant Khaire from Aurangabad.
Thackeray claimed that Shiv Sena leader Sandipan Bhumre’s victory in Aurangabad was achieved by “stealing his party’s name and symbol.”
He acknowledged that the ‘burning torch’ symbol assigned to his faction post-split did not effectively reach voters in the Lok Sabha polls, emphasizing the upcoming assembly polls would focus on protecting Maharashtra’s self-respect.
By addressing these issues, Thackeray called for stronger unity and strategic efforts from his party members to ensure better results in the forthcoming assembly elections.