Mr Thackeray accuses the government of using welfare scheme for short-term electoral gain ahead of the Assembly polls.
Aaditya Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Worli MLA, has strongly criticized upcoming ‘Majhi Ladki Bahini’ scheme and similar women centric schemes introduced by the ruling MahaYuti alliance in Maharashtra, alleging that these are just election tactics with no intentions to benefit genuinely.
The Hindu– 2 days ago
“He said previous budget promises from 2022, 2023 and 2024 have not been fulfilled and accused the government of deploying the same as a short-term poll gimmick prior to assembly elections while staking huge funds on publicity activities. According to Mr. Thackeray, such schemes will not help win women’s votes for BJP. Women can easily tell who is genuine about serving them and who is only pretending.”
Excerpts from an interview:
Do you think that programs like ‘Majhi Ladki Bahini Yojana’ or any other announcement given in the last assembly session will make a significant difference during this forthcoming state assembly election?
Let’s see all the budget announcements done in 2022, 2023 and 2024 before we even judge this scheme. None of them have happened yet. This scheme is restricted only up to elections (October or November). And they’re spending another ₹300 crores on publicity! If ‘behenas’ were really ‘ladki’ (adorable) to this regime, they wouldn’t have had ministers who have abused women on TV, or gone with the BJP that felicitated rapists for Gujarat elections.
Are these schemes meant for wooing female voters since some BJP leaders say those ones voted against them during Lok Sabha elections?
Women know how to read people very well. They know the difference between a cultured and well-meaning family head, and crass and greedy politicians that the BJP and ‘mindhe’ (Uddhav Thackeray’s nickname for Eknath Shinde) have.
Does the ruling alliance fear a rerun of Lok Sabha election results in the upcoming Assembly polls?
Their desperation is to announce schemes and earn kickbacks.
Is it possible that if you (Maha Vikas Aghadi) come to power, you will be expected to continue these schemes? Don’t you think this would impose a significant burden on the state’s finances?
The finances of a state are meant for its welfare. Due to this kind of inflation and unemployment, such assistance is required but with good intentions and an additional sum. People who had once promised ₹15 lakhs are now making ₹1500 like a favor!
Do you think this discontent still lingers or has MahaYuti managed to address it effectively now that voters. Who were upset with the current dispensation might have supported you in the Lok Sabha elections?
This regime is anti-constitutional, anti-Maharashtra and runs from Gujarat. The discontent is on all fronts. Absolute Corruption, terrible situation of law and order and administrative disarray has become the identity of this regime.
In fact, it was reported recently by the media that you have been leading in the Worli Assembly segment by a margin of only 6000 votes during Lok Sabha elections. Do you think this will work against you when people come to knock at your door at 6am? Could this be effective?
Answering on Varanasi where they lost three times and won with reduced margins. They are also there finding their favourite contractors from their home state..
