Maharashtra News: Maharashtra Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan has raised concerns about the political landscape in Haryana and Maharashtra ahead of upcoming elections. He predicts a shift in power in both states that could have a ripple effect on the stability of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the national level. According to Chavan, the BJP will face challenges from several fronts, and one key issue lies in how women voters respond to the ruling party's policies, particularly the "Ladki Behen" scheme.
Anticipating Govt Change in Haryana and Maharashtra
Chavan foresees a potential change in government following the assembly elections in Haryana and Maharashtra. He believes this shift could destabilize the NDA, which is supported by key allies like Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar. In Haryana, elections are scheduled soon, while the timeline for Maharashtra’s election remains uncertain. The political environment in Maharashtra is tense, with the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in a coalition government, known as the 'Mahayuti' alliance.
Despite this alliance, Chavan suggests that a government change is imminent, hinting that the Congress could return to power. He emphasized that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), an opposition alliance of the Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar-led NCP, is well-positioned to challenge the ruling coalition. He also highlighted the dissatisfaction of the electorate, pointing to unresolved issues such as inflation, unemployment, and corruption.
Challenges Within MVA and the CM Post
Despite the unified front, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance is reportedly facing internal friction over the potential chief ministerial candidate. Chavan stated that the formula so far has been simple: the party with the most seats will get the chief minister's post. However, this remains a topic of discussion within the opposition.
During the previous Lok Sabha elections, the MVA won 65% of the 48 seats in Maharashtra, translating to roughly 183 seats out of 288 in the assembly. Chavan is optimistic that this trend will continue in the upcoming elections, placing the alliance in a strong position to regain control of the state government.
Allegations of corruption
One of Chavan's key criticisms of the current government revolves around allegations of corruption, particularly related to the tender for the construction of a statue of Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg district. He claims that the project, which should have taken three years, was hurriedly completed in just three months, raising concerns over transparency and governance. Chavan also emphasized that those legislators who switched sides after the Shiv Sena and NCP split would have to face accountability from voters.
He further criticized the ruling coalition for failing to address significant issues like farmer suicides, unemployment, and the broader economic challenges facing the state. In his view, the Eknath Shinde-led government has not delivered on the promises made to the people, leaving them vulnerable to various socio-economic crises.
The Role of the "Ladki Behen" Scheme in the Election
The "Ladki Behen" scheme, which provides financial assistance to women, has become a focal point of contention in the lead-up to the election. Chavan dismissed the idea that this scheme would secure the BJP any significant support among female voters. He claimed that financial assistance to women should not be considered a handout, but rather recognition of the unpaid labor women contribute to society. He went further to argue that such labor should be factored into the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) calculations, as it is a crucial part of societal functioning.
Chavan also stated that similar schemes were originally conceived and implemented by the Congress in states like Karnataka and Telangana, further criticizing the BJP for only introducing the "Ladki Behen" scheme in response to electoral pressures. He said that during Devendra Fadnavis's tenure as chief minister, no such program was introduced, raising questions about the BJP’s sudden focus on women’s welfare.
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