Mahayuti United No CM Competition
Mahayuti Alliance Clarifies Chief Minister’s Role
In the run-up to the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasized that there is no internal competition within the Mahayuti alliance regarding the Chief Minister’s (CM) post. The alliance, which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), is being led by the current Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde. Fadnavis reiterated that Shinde’s leadership will steer the Mahayuti through the elections, and the final decision on the next CM will be made collectively by BJP’s national delegation along with Shinde and NCP Chief Ajit Pawar.
Fadnavis stated, “At present, Shinde is our Chief Minister, and he leads us into this election. There is unity among Mahayuti partners, and there is no competition for the CM’s post.”
Strong Public Support for Mahayuti
Fadnavis expressed confidence in the Mahayuti alliance’s appeal across Maharashtra, citing the public’s recognition of their development initiatives. He noted that people have observed the differences between the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and the current Mahayuti government.
“We are witnessing good support from many parts of Maharashtra, not out of overconfidence, but because of the developmental work and social schemes we have consistently implemented over the last two-and-a-half years. People have seen the difference in governance, and I believe they will choose Mahayuti,” Fadnavis said before launching a series of rallies across the state.
Election Campaign Launch in Kolhapur
Fadnavis, joined by CM Shinde, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, and other leaders from Mahayuti, officially commenced the alliance’s election campaign in Kolhapur on Tuesday. The campaign aims to highlight the Mahayuti government’s achievements and differentiate it from the MVA coalition’s tenure.
Addressing Criticism of Welfare Schemes
Fadnavis responded to criticism from the MVA coalition concerning the Mahayuti’s welfare programs, particularly the Ladki Bahin Yojana, a scheme designed to empower young women in Maharashtra. He argued that the Opposition’s claims of discontinuing the program after elections were baseless, as the scheme is part of the current budget.
“The Opposition claims that we will not fund the Ladki Bahin Yojana post-elections. This criticism is unfounded. When a scheme is part of our budget, it’s fully funded. Their accusations are only attempts to discredit our government,” Fadnavis said, defending the sustainability and financial commitment behind the Mahayuti’s welfare programs.
Mahavikas Aghadi Accused of Misrepresenting Maharashtra’s Economy
Fadnavis accused the Opposition, specifically the MVA, of attempting to misrepresent Maharashtra’s economic performance. He argued that the state’s contribution to the national GDP suffered during the MVA’s tenure, while it has grown under the Mahayuti administration.
“The MVA has spread a narrative that our state’s economic contribution declined under our governance. In reality, Maharashtra’s GDP contribution suffered during the MVA era, not ours. We’ve managed to restore and grow this contribution since coming to power,” he clarified, countering MVA’s economic criticisms.
Investment and Development in Maharashtra
Fadnavis highlighted that Maharashtra has maintained its position as a top investment destination under the Mahayuti, attracting 52% of India’s total investments. Refuting claims of investment flight to Gujarat, he stated that the Mahayuti government has significantly boosted investor confidence.
“The Opposition’s claim that investments are shifting to Gujarat is inaccurate. Major investments moved to Gujarat during the MVA period, not ours. Since our return to power, investment flow into Maharashtra has surged,” Fadnavis explained. He further criticized the MVA for misinterpreting investment data and using it to undermine the Mahayuti government’s development achievements.
Disclaimer:
This article presents statements and opinions from Maharashtra’s political leaders and discusses the strategies and claims made by Mahayuti alliance members regarding the Maharashtra Assembly elections. It aims to provide an objective summary and does not endorse any political viewpoint.