CM Shinde seeks women’s support for increasing Ladki Bahin aid to Rs 3,000.
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The reliance on the Ladki Bahin scheme, which was introduced hastily following the Mahayuti’s disappointing results in the general election, became apparent when the state government disbursed two instalments for October and November simultaneously, just prior to the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct that was triggered by the announcement of the election dates on Tuesday.
The ruling alliance of Shiv Sena and BJP, known as the Mahayuti, is significantly relying on a newly introduced financial assistance program for women, alongside meticulous management by RSS members, according to sources.
The reliance on the Ladki Bahin initiative, which was launched swiftly following the Mahayuti’s disappointing results in the general elections, became apparent when the state government disbursed two payments for October and November simultaneously, just prior to the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct following the announcement of election dates on Tuesday.
The Ladki Bahin scheme provides women aged 21 to 65 years, whose families earn no more than ₹2.5 lakh annually, with a monthly stipend of ₹1,500. A total of ₹3,000 for the two months, being marketed as a “Diwali bonus,” has been deposited into the bank accounts of approximately 1.5 crore economically disadvantaged women.
The Mahayuti secured only 17 out of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state. The performance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the principal partner in the coalition, was particularly poor, as it managed to win just nine seats.
The disappointment following the Lok Sabha election results prompted the Mahayuti to adopt a strategy similar to that of former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, by implementing a scheme inspired by the Ladli Behna project initiated by the current agriculture minister in the Narendra Modi administration. The Ladli Behna initiative, which provides a monthly cash assistance of ₹1,500, was introduced prior to the Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh last year and is thought to have significantly contributed to the BJP’s unprecedented fifth consecutive term in office.
Experience indicates that female voters can significantly influence the outcome in tightly contested elections. A BJP official expressed optimism that the Ladki Bahin scheme would help shift the electoral momentum in their favor. “The distribution of two installments (₹3,000) just before the elections will ensure that it remains a priority for women voters when they cast their ballots on November 20,” the official remarked.
Speculation within political circles suggests that the Election Commission’s decision to postpone the Maharashtra elections, rather than conducting them concurrently with the elections in Haryana, has provided the ruling coalition an opportunity to attract female voters through this scheme.
The most recent Assembly elections in Maharashtra occurred simultaneously with those in Haryana in October. This time, the election commission attributed the postponement to a shortage of security personnel, which was a result of significant deployments for the elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
The current term of the Maharashtra Assembly is set to conclude on November 26.
The postponement of the elections has allowed the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government to disburse three installments to the bank accounts of impoverished women, with the fourth and fifth installments being credited simultaneously. Chief Minister Shinde has also proposed the possibility of increasing the amount to ₹3,000 if the women provide their support.
In addition to financial assistance, the Mahayuti’s prospects are also reliant on the active involvement of RSS cadres within the state.
“Numerous coordination meetings have been conducted between the leadership of the RSS and BJP. RSS leaders and cadres are already mobilized on the ground, and we anticipate positive outcomes when the voting occurs,” stated an RSS leader in Pune, expressing confidence that, similar to Haryana, the election results in Maharashtra will be unexpectedly favorable.
From toll waiver to Ladki Bahin, welfare schemes and cost to the state
As the Maharashtra elections draw near, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s administration has been implementing a range of welfare programs, which are perceived as strategic efforts to attract voters. Among these initiatives is the highly publicized CM Majhi Ladki Bahin Scheme, which offers a monthly financial aid of Rs 1,500 to women, alongside a toll exemption for light vehicles entering Mumbai. The BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP coalition government introduced these commitments prior to the announcement of the election schedule, coinciding with the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) following the public release of the schedule.
Toll Waiver for Light Motor Vehicles
In a notable development, the Maharashtra government has implemented a full toll exemption for light motor vehicles entering Mumbai, starting at midnight on October 14. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde highlighted ongoing traffic congestion at toll plazas as a major factor influencing this decision. The exemption is applicable at five major toll locations: Dahisar, LBS Road-Mulund, Eastern Express Highway-Mulund, Airoli Creek Bridge, and Vashi. Given that light motor vehicles constitute approximately 80% of the more than 600,000 vehicles that enter Mumbai each day, this measure is intended to enhance efficiency, decrease fuel expenses, and mitigate pollution.
Additionally, the Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana represents another significant initiative, providing Rs 1,500 monthly to women aged 21 to 65 whose annual family income is below Rs 2.5 lakh. Launched on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, this program is anticipated to impose a financial burden of Rs 46,000 crore on the state treasury.
Mukhyamantri Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana
To address the issue of youth unemployment, the government of Maharashtra has launched the Mukhyamantri Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana. This initiative aims to provide internship opportunities that focus on skill development and improving employability for individuals between the ages of 18 and 35. With a financial allocation of Rs 5,500 crore, the program offers stipends that vary according to educational qualifications: Rs 6,000 for those who have completed their 12th grade, Rs 8,000 for ITI or Diploma holders, and Rs 10,000 for degree or postgraduate graduates.
The Shinde administration has sanctioned the establishment of two additional Metro rail lines in Pune, which is the second-largest city in the state. The routes, namely Khadakwasla-Swargate-Hadapsar-Kharadi and Nalstop-Dahanukar Colony-Warje-Manikbaug, will span a total distance of 31.63 kilometers. This initiative is backed by a financial allocation of Rs 9,897 crore and will feature a total of 28 stations.
