Maharashtra Polls: BJP Launches Campaign Branding Congress As ‘Anti-Ladki Bahin’ Party – News18

Last Updated:October 30, 2024, 23:27 IST

Though Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders have said that they wish to continue this scheme by increasing the financial aid for women, the BJP alleges that a few leaders of the Congress and MVA had gone to court against this plan and will stop it if…Read More

With a new advertisement, the Bharatiya Janata Party has launched an aggressive campaign against the Congress in poll-bound Maharashtra, terming it the “Anti-Ladki Bahin” scheme party. The new advertisement shows that women in the state are happy with the financial aid of Rs 1,500 a month, are using it for various good purposes, and how the Mukhyamantri – Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana has gained popularity in Maharashtra. But if the Congress comes to power, it will stop this scheme and the help that eligible women are getting, it warns.

After the launch of this scheme, more than 2 crore eligible women so far have received the financial aid from the government. Several success stories have also come out of it as many women have started their own small businesses or become independent enough to take care of little household expenses on their own without having to rely on anyone else. Many case studies show that women have used this money for the education of their children, or to get upskilled and run their house.

Though Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders have said that they wish to continue this scheme by increasing the amount to Rs 2,000 a month, the BJP alleges that a few leaders of the Congress and MVA had gone to court against this plan and will stop it if voted to power.

Political analysts believe the Ladki Bahin scheme could influence the trajectory of Maharashtra’s political landscape. As conflicts over seat-sharing persist within the Maha Vikas Aghadi — comprising the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) — voters are growing increasingly disillusioned with the alliance’s internal strife, say critics. In this environment, the BJP has seized the moment to emphasise the Congress’s opposition to the Ladki Bahin scheme and branding it as obstructive to women’s welfare.

All the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra will go to the polls on November 20 and the counting of votes will be held on November 23.

A few days ago, the BJP advertised in all newspapers across the state, framing the Congress as the “Anti-Ladki Bahin” party, and calling out its alleged fake narrative and attempts to undermine the scheme. It said Congress governments in states had failed to deliver on promises made during elections. BJP sources say the Congress has no counter for the Ladki Bahin scheme which is gaining momentum in Maharashtra and is likely to be a game changer.