Row Erupts in Mahayuti Over Fund Diversion to Ladki Bahin Scheme; NCP Locks Horns With Eknath Shinde-Led Shiv Sena
Mumbai, 5th May 2025: The Maharashtra Government’s flagship Ladki Bahin Scheme has sparked a major rift within the ruling Mahayuti alliance, following the diversion of Rs 746 crore from the Social Justice & Special Assistance Department to fund the program. The move, orchestrated by Finance Minister Ajit Pawar, has drawn sharp criticism from Social Justice Minister and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat, who said he was not informed about the reallocation and questioned the very need for his department if funds could be diverted without consultation.
Launched ahead of last year’s Assembly elections, the Ladki Bahin Scheme was credited with helping Mahayuti return to power, but its financial burden has since become a source of political tension. The scheme’s budget was already slashed from Rs 46,000 crore to Rs 36,000 crore this year, and the latest fund diversion-meant to benefit Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe women, has intensified concerns about the viability of both the scheme and other welfare programs.
Shiv Sena leaders allege that the scheme is starving other departments of critical funding, with Shirsat warning that his department already faces a Rs 1,500 crore debt and cannot sustain further cuts. Health Minister Prakash Abitkar echoed these concerns, stating that several departments have struggled since the scheme’s launch. The controversy has also exposed deeper grievances within the alliance, with Sena leaders claiming their party is being sidelined in favour of the BJP and NCP priorities.
Ajit Pawar has defended the decision, insisting it was a collective cabinet move and that the issue will be resolved by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. However, the ongoing discord highlights the mounting challenge of balancing popular welfare schemes with Maharashtra’s rising debt-projected to reach Rs 9.3 lakh crore in 2025-26-and the risk of undermining other social sector initiatives.
