‘Extremely selfish’: Supriya Sule attacks Maharashtra govt over Ladki Bahin scheme

ByDhruv Sharma

National Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) leader, Supriya Sule, delivered a sharp rebuke to the Maharashtra government on Sunday, criticizing its Ladki Bahin scheme. She described the ruling coalition as “extremely selfish,” accusing them of viewing the brother-sister relationship through the “prism of money.”

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Extremely selfish Supriya Sule attacks Maharashtra govt over Ladki Bahin scheme

Key Criticisms from Supriya Sule

During a rally in Dhule district, Sule made several critical points regarding the scheme and its political motivations:

Allegations by Supriya Sule

  1. Politically Motivated Initiative: Sule claimed that the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana was introduced in response to the ruling Mahayuti coalition’s defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. The Mahayuti, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), had lost a significant number of seats, prompting what she sees as a reactionary scheme.
  2. Financial Mismanagement: She alleged that the Maharashtra government was spending ₹200 crore on promoting the scheme. Sule argued that this amount could have supported ASHA workers (Accredited Social Health Activists) for the next 10 years instead.
  3. Misunderstanding Women’s Needs: Sule pointed out that women in Maharashtra prioritize issues such as a better Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops like soybean and cotton, job creation, and inflation control over the Ladki Bahin scheme. She criticized the government for not addressing these core concerns.
  4. Accusation of Postponing Elections: Sule also criticized the central government, claiming it postponed the state assembly elections from October to November out of fear of losing power.

The Current Political Landscape in Maharashtra

  • The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), consisting of the Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction), had a decisive victory in the Lok Sabha elections, securing 30 out of Maharashtra’s 48 seats.
  • In contrast, the Mahayuti alliance, led by the BJP and Shiv Sena, witnessed a significant loss, dropping from 23 seats in 2019 to just 9 in the latest elections.

Key Takeaways from Sule’s Speech

  • Sule’s criticism centers on the belief that the Ladki Bahin scheme is not aligned with what women in Maharashtra truly need.
  • She called for a strong and stable MVA government to address critical issues like MSP for farmers and unresolved water crises in the state.

Conclusion

Supriya Sule’s attack on the Maharashtra government underscores the growing dissatisfaction among opposition leaders with the current administration’s priorities. Her speech emphasized the disconnect between the Ladki Bahin scheme and the actual needs of women in Maharashtra, while also challenging the government’s political and economic strategies. As elections loom, the success or failure of such initiatives will likely influence public opinion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Ladki Bahin scheme?

The Ladki Bahin scheme, officially known as the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, is a financial assistance program launched by the Maharashtra government. Its aim is to support women in the state by providing monetary benefits.

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Why did Supriya Sule criticize the scheme?

Supriya Sule criticized the scheme as being politically motivated and accused the government of using it to distract from their defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. She argued that the scheme does not address the real concerns of women, such as better MSP for crops, job creation, and inflation control.

How much money is being spent on the scheme?

According to Supriya Sule, the Maharashtra government is spending ₹200 crore on promoting the Ladki Bahin scheme. She claimed this money could have been better utilized to support ASHA workers for 10 years.

What alternative solutions did Sule suggest?

Sule suggested that instead of schemes like Ladki Bahin, the government should focus on increasing MSP for crops, controlling inflation, providing jobs for the unemployed, and addressing water-related issues in the state.

What was Sule’s remark about the central government?

Sule accused the central government of postponing the Maharashtra state assembly elections from October to November due to fears of losing the election.