Maharashtra's 'Ladki Behen' Scheme Faces Opposition Attacks, But Retains Popularity Among Women

The “Ladki Behen” scheme, introduced by Maharashtra’s Finance Minister Ajit Pawar in this year’s state budget, has become a major talking point across the state, especially among women. The initiative, which offers a monthly payout of ?1,500 to eligible women, has seen more than 15 million registrations since it launched in August 2024. However, despite its growing popularity, the scheme has been at the center of opposition-led smear campaigns, aiming to undermine its success ahead of the upcoming elections.

Announced as a major women-centric welfare program, the “Ladki Behen” scheme was initially dismissed by critics as a gimmick. Yet, women from all corners of Maharashtra continued to register in large numbers, expressing their trust in the initiative. As the number of beneficiaries surged, opponents shifted their strategy, focusing on the financial viability of the scheme. They accused the state government of borrowing heavily each week to fund the program, raising concerns about the potential impact on Maharashtra’s financial stability.

Ajit Pawar refuted these allegations, clarifying that the state budget had already allocated ?46,000 crore for the scheme. Opposition parties, however, continued to spread rumours, claiming that contractors were not being paid and that the program was negatively affecting state development. Despite these claims, the scheme’s popularity among women remained intact.

Opposition’s Attempts to Discredit the Scheme

As attempts to discredit the scheme through financial arguments failed, critics then shifted to moral accusations, suggesting that the government was “buying” women’s votes by offering ?1,500 monthly payments. Social media was flooded with videos of women purportedly asking for cheaper LPG cylinders instead of cash. Despite this, the deposit of funds into beneficiaries’ accounts only strengthened women’s faith in the scheme and the government behind it.

In a more technical attempt to disrupt the scheme, opposition figures reportedly interfered with the registration process. Some set up unauthorized camps with misleading banners, while others intentionally filled out forms incorrectly to create delays and confusion. BJP MLA Ram Kadam raised these issues in the state assembly, accusing opponents of uploading false data to the scheme’s portal to slow it down. Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed these concerns during a press conference, revealing that opponents were using technology to sabotage the initiative. In response, the state government began accepting offline applications to ensure that women would not be denied their benefits.

Misinformation and Fearmongering

Despite various challenges, over 15 million women successfully registered for the scheme, and the first two installments of ?1,500 were released. In a new tactic, opponents began spreading false information, warning beneficiaries to withdraw their money immediately, claiming the government would reclaim the funds. Senior leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition propagated these fears.

To counter this narrative, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar issued public reassurances, stating that the funds were a “gift” to the women of Maharashtra and would not be taken back. The leaders reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the scheme, emphasizing its importance for women’s welfare and financial security.

As election season approaches, the opposition has intensified its efforts to discredit the program. Fake news has circulated online, falsely claiming that a ?5,500 bonus would be provided to women registered under the scheme, despite no such announcement from the government. The opposition also claimed that the scheme had been suspended due to the Election Commission’s code of conduct ahead of the November 20 assembly elections. However, Eknath Shinde clarified that the scheme was only paused temporarily due to election regulations and would resume after the elections, with funds continuing to be deposited into beneficiaries’ accounts.

Preemptive Measures by the Government

Anticipating the potential impact of election-related delays, the Maha Yuti government issued advance payments to ensure women continued receiving their benefits during the election period. This move was seen as a demonstration of the government’s intent to uphold its promises to women voters. Meanwhile, the opposition has threatened to end the scheme if they are voted into power. Former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has gone so far as to declare that if his party wins, they will halt the program and take legal action against the Maha Yuti leadership.

As the election date approaches, the “Ladki Behen” scheme remains a focal point in Maharashtra’s political landscape. Despite persistent opposition attacks, the program continues to resonate strongly with women, who see it as a valuable support system.