Maharashtra Politics: Raut Criticizes Freebies Amid Debt Crisis

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday criticized the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra for announcing freebies while the state grapples with a debt burden of Rs 8 lakh crore. His comments follow a string of setbacks for the ruling parties in the Lok Sabha elections.

Raut's remarks came a day after Chief Minister Eknath Shinde revealed a job training and stipend scheme for youth, known as the 'Ladka Bhau' Yojana. This followed the launch of a monthly financial assistance scheme for women. Under the 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin' scheme announced in the state Budget, married, divorced, and destitute women aged 21-60 will receive Rs 1,500 per month. The annual family income of beneficiaries is capped at Rs 2.5 lakh.

Raut accused the government of copying a Madhya Pradesh scheme and questioned whether Rs 1,500 is sufficient for women to sustain their households. He demanded equal financial assistance of Rs 10,000 per month for women. Highlighting Maharashtra's existing debt of Rs 8 lakh crore, he warned that the state's financial health is deteriorating.

Before the Lok Sabha polls, the Mahayuti alliance had boasted that the opposition would not win even 10 parliamentary seats in Maharashtra. However, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) secured 31 seats, contrasting with the BJP's drop from 23 seats in 2019 to nine. The opposition MVA, including Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar), and Congress, showed solidarity and won 30 of 48 seats.

Looking ahead to the upcoming assembly elections, Raut forecasted that MVA would win 280 out of 288 seats. He noted no formula has been decided for the MVA yet, and consultations over constituency representations are ongoing.

When asked about senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal's meeting with NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Raut described Bhujbal as a seasoned actor known for creating drama, while he referred to Sharad Pawar as an 'emperor of actors' who holds a strong influence in state and national politics.

(With inputs from agencies.)