Why Is the BJP in the Shadows on Ladki Bahin Promotion? | लड़की बहिन प्रमोशन पर क्यों घिरी है बीजेपी?

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The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana (Chief Minister My Sister Scheme), launched by the state government of Maharashtra, has been making headlines recently. This initiative is aimed at providing financial support to underprivileged women, with a focus on garnering votes from specific demographics for the upcoming Assembly election. Despite the potential impact of this scheme, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), one of the key players in the ruling Mahayuti coalition, has maintained a surprisingly low profile regarding its promotion. Let’s delve into the reasons behind this strategic reticence.

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The Political Landscape | राजनीतिक परिदृश्य

Following a disappointing performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections, the Maharashtra government initiated the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana to strengthen its voter base. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the scheme’s primary face, has been actively promoting it, especially with the fund disbursement date approaching on August 17. On the other hand, Ajit Pawar, the deputy chief minister and head of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has been reaching out to voters through the Jansanwad Yatra outreach program.

While Shinde and Pawar actively engage with potential beneficiaries, the BJP, the largest ally in the ruling coalition, has been conspicuously quiet. This silence has raised questions, particularly since the scheme, with an estimated cost of ₹46,000 crore annually, was announced as a major government initiative in June.

Internal Dynamics and Strategic Caution | आंतरिक गतिशीलता और सामरिक सावधानी

One of the primary reasons for the BJP’s cautious approach is the concern about the scheme being promoted primarily under Chief Minister Shinde’s name. As a senior BJP leader explained, the party must be careful about not allowing its ally to gain disproportionate political mileage at its expense. Shinde’s relatively better performance in the Lok Sabha elections compared to the BJP adds to this cautious stance.

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Moreover, there is apprehension about alienating the BJP’s core vote bank. The scheme targets women earning below ₹2.5 lakh annually, benefiting the lower middle class, as well as certain sections of Muslim and Scheduled Caste families. This demographic does not traditionally align with the BJP’s middle and upper-middle-class supporters. The BJP fears that its core supporters might perceive the scheme as a redistribution of their tax contributions, causing dissatisfaction.

Divergent Priorities | भिन्न-भिन्न प्राथमिकताएँ

Instead of aligning with welfare schemes like Ladki Bahin, the BJP is more focused on its core Hindutva agenda for the Assembly polls. Some party leaders question whether this approach will resonate with voters in the upcoming elections. The BJP leadership prefers investing in projects that appeal directly to its core supporters rather than promoting welfare schemes that might not directly benefit their traditional vote bank.

Maharashtra BJP Vice President Madhav Bhandari stated that the party is actively promoting the scheme at the district level, holding meetings and training sessions on its implementation. He downplayed concerns about middle-class dissatisfaction, asserting that BJP leaders know how to address voter concerns. Bhandari also highlighted that naming schemes after chief ministers or prime ministers is a common practice and not indicative of promoting individual leaders over others.

A Collective Effort? | एक सामूहिक प्रयास?

In an attempt to present a united front, Chief Minister Shinde emphasized that the Ladki Bahin scheme is a collective decision of the ruling alliance, aimed at benefiting the people of Maharashtra rather than promoting any particular party or leader. However, the three ruling parties refer to the scheme by different names, reflecting underlying differences. Shinde’s faction calls it Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, Ajit Pawar’s NCP uses the name Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, and the BJP simply terms it Ladki Bahin Yojana.

Controversy and Criticism | विवाद और आलोचना

The scheme has not been without controversy. Independent MLA Ravi Rana, associated with the BJP, recently stirred controversy by suggesting that the benefits provided under the Ladki Bahin scheme could be reclaimed if beneficiaries do not support him in the Assembly election. His comments, made during a certificate distribution program, were met with criticism for undermining the scheme’s purpose and exploiting financial assistance for political gain.

Conclusion

The BJP’s ambivalence towards the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana highlights the complex interplay of political strategy, voter demographics, and coalition dynamics. As Maharashtra’s ruling alliance navigates these challenges, the upcoming Assembly elections will test whether their divergent approaches can effectively resonate with voters and secure the support they seek. The BJP’s decision to stay in the shadows, at least for now, reflects its cautious balancing act between promoting welfare initiatives and safeguarding its core political identity.