Shiv Sena (UBT) president and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray began his campaign for the Maharashtra state assembly on Tuesday in Kolhapur, presenting five significant promises aimed at countering the Mahayuti government’s Ladli Bahena scheme.
During the Kolhapur rally, Thackeray pledged that his government, once elected, would provide free education not only for girls but for boys as well. “Boys are the pillars of the home, and the same is true for girls, so both will receive education free of charge,” he said.
Thackeray also emphasised the importance of women’s safety and empowerment. “State police stations will be made women-friendly by recruiting a large number of girls into the state police force. We will also appoint women police officers as in-charges of the police stations, ensuring that women who come to report crimes feel comfortable and can lodge complaints against culprits,” he added.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader addressed the issue of employment and housing, asserting that Mumbai belongs to all Marathi people. “They should come to Mumbai to seek jobs and establish industries. We will prioritise Marathi people when it comes to job and housing allocations. Affordable housing will be made available so that anyone can purchase homes in Mumbai. Additionally, we will ensure fair prices for crops such as cotton, soyabean, onion, and sugarcane. Our government had waived off farmers’ loans in the past, and when we return to power, we will do it again,” he promised.
Thackeray spoke about inflation, a pressing concern for many. “Once our government is in power, we will stabilise essential commodity prices. The inflation and drastic rise in the prices of basic goods is a major concern for the middle and lower-middle classes. The high cost of essential commodities is drilling holes in people’s pockets. We will provide relief from this crippling inflation,” he assured.
Criticising the Shinde-led Mahayuti government, Thackeray accused it of rampant corruption. “In this government, only commissions and corruption have occurred, robbing the state exchequer, while the Ladli Bahena scheme has merely offered Rs 1,500 per month,” he alleged.
Thackeray dismissed the influence of national leaders on the upcoming elections in Maharashtra. “Let Narendra Modi and Amit Shah come to Maharashtra for the election campaign; it will not make much difference or impact. Even if they camp in the state for the next 15 days, it will not help them. The way they toppled our pro-Maharashtra people's government has not gone down well with the citizens. The current state government works for Gujarat and in the interest of Modi and Shah, not for the local people,” Thackeray claimed.
