Uddhav Thackeray Blasts Mahayuti Budget as 'Completely Bogus'

Uddhav Thackeray criticized the Mahayuti government's first budget since November 2024 elections, calling it bogus for not fulfilling welfare promises. He objected to the provision of bank guarantees to sugar mills aligned with ruling parties and questioned the usage of taxpayer funds for metro projects related to the Adani group.

In a scathing attack on the Mahayuti government's recently unveiled budget, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Monday labeled the financial plan as 'completely bogus.' Thackeray accused the ruling coalition of failing to deliver on key welfare promises.

The budget, presented by Finance Minister Ajit Pawar, included a provision of Rs 36,000 crore for the Mukhyamantri Majhi Laadki Bahin scheme. However, it notably omitted a hike in monthly stipends for women beneficiaries, initially pledged to rise from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100.

Thackeray further criticized the government's decision to allocate Rs 1,100 crore in bank guarantees to sugar mills associated with the ruling parties and questioned why taxpayer money was being used to fund a metro line linking two airports managed by the Adani group.

(With inputs from agencies.)