Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde recently criticized the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. He referred to it as an “anti-development government,” emphasizing that the MVA prioritized power over public welfare. In addition, Shinde firmly stated that voters in Pune would stand with the Mahayuti alliance in the upcoming elections.
Furthermore, Shinde pointed out that the MVA had stalled several important development projects. He specifically mentioned the Jalyukt Shivar Yojana, Samruddhi Mahamarg, and metro projects. He stressed, “MVA will be known as an anti-development government… They made an unnatural alliance for the greed of power.” As a result, Shinde is confident that Pune, a prominent IT and manufacturing hub, will support Mahayuti due to the MVA’s lack of progress.
In contrast, Shinde highlighted the achievements of his government. His administration has approved 124 irrigation projects and launched key initiatives like the Kisan Samman Yojana and the Farm Insurance Scheme. Shinde proudly stated, “We made a government of public interest,” noting that his government had supported distressed farmers with a substantial Rs 45,000 crore.
Additionally, Shinde discussed the Ladki Bahin scheme, which increased financial aid for women from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100. Moreover, he outlined plans for “Vision Maharashtra 2029,” aimed at creating job opportunities for both farmers and youth. This initiative, he argued, is crucial for the state’s progress.
Shinde did not hold back in his criticism of the MVA. He accused them of being a “hafta-taking government” and compared them to his own government. He remarked, “We are the government to give hafta; we give directly to the accounts. We are ‘Dena Bank’; they were ‘Lena Bank.'” This comparison, he explained, illustrates the clear difference in leadership.
Following the rally, Shinde met with Prakash Ambedkar, the president of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA). However, Shinde clarified that the meeting was not political. He explained that Ambedkar, who had recently undergone angioplasty surgery, would soon begin his election campaign. “It was a courtesy meeting,” Shinde said.
Looking ahead, the Maharashtra Assembly elections are set for November 20, with results to be declared on November 23. The opposition MVA coalition, which includes Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), seeks to regain power in the state. In contrast, the Mahayuti alliance, comprising Shinde’s Shiv Sena, BJP, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, aims to maintain its hold on the state’s governance.
In the 2019 elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and Congress won 44 seats. Similarly, in the 2014 elections, BJP took 122 seats, Shiv Sena got 63, and Congress secured 42 seats. These results will be crucial in determining the future direction of Maharashtra’s leadership.
