Rijiju Criticizes Congress Ahead of Maharashtra Elections, Shinde Government Announces Key Decisions

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju accuses Congress of keeping Muslims poor for 60 years, urging the community to reconsider its voting loyalty. Maharashtra government, under CM Eknath Shinde, announces crucial policy decisions, including salary hikes and new teacher posts, as upcoming legislative assembly elections approach.

Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, on Monday, criticized the Congress party, accusing it of impoverishing Muslims over the past 60 years. He cautioned Congress against using Muslims as a vote bank. 'I want to ask our Muslims, who made you poor in the last 60 years? Congress did it,' Rijiju declared. He praised PM Modi for initiatives benefiting Muslims and vowed to ensure minority votes do not solely favor Congress in the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections.

In parallel, the Maharashtra government, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, announced several significant decisions. These include increasing the limit of death and retirement gratuity to Rs 20 lakh and the creation of 4,860 special teacher posts. The decisions were made during a Cabinet meeting attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar.

The Cabinet also approved a ten per cent salary hike for Kotwals and an interest-free secondary loan assistance scheme for MMRDA. Additionally, a subsidy scheme for rearing indigenous cows was introduced. The Maharashtra legislative assembly elections will take place in 288 constituencies, with dates yet to be announced by the Election Commission of India.