Mumbai, Oct 22 (NationPress) In a strategic move aimed at the upcoming local and civic body elections in Maharashtra, the BJP-led Mahayuti government has sanctioned a budget of Rs 270 crore, equating to Rs 5 crore each, dedicated to various development initiatives in the constituencies of 54 newly elected legislators from allied parties in the state Assembly.

A government resolution issued by the State Planning Department outlines this allocation.

The Mahayuti, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, is determined to maintain its winning streak following the state Assembly elections by securing victories in the forthcoming elections for 29 Municipal Corporations, all 247 Municipal Councils, 42 Nagar Panchayats, 32 Zilla Parishads, and 336 Panchayat Samitis. The State Election Commission is currently preparing to conduct these elections before the deadline of January 31 next year, as mandated by the Supreme Court.

According to the government resolution, the funds will be allocated for development projects proposed by these legislators within their respective Assembly segments.

Sources within the Mahayuti noted, "Following the recent release of funds through the Rural Development Department in Zilla Parishad areas and via the Urban Development Department in Municipal Corporations and Municipalities through specialized schemes, the Mahayuti government has now focused its attention on the newly elected legislators.”

It has been acknowledged that since the government’s inception in the state, the Mahayuti legislators have persistently requested increased funding for development initiatives. Initially, there was an intention to provide a development fund of Rs 10 crore each to the ruling legislators.

However, due to financial constraints resulting from initiatives like 'Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin' and other programs, along with the additional costs associated with aiding farmers affected by recent severe rains and flooding, the government has revised its plan, opting instead to allocate Rs 5 crore to each of the 54 first-time legislators.

Additionally, the government plans to issue another resolution to allocate Rs 2 to 2.50 crore each to other ruling Mahayuti legislators to mitigate dissatisfaction ahead of the local and civic body elections. These legislators have already made strong appeals to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar for fund allocation to kickstart various development projects prior to the local election.

Last week, the Urban Development Department sanctioned Rs 509 crore for Municipal Corporations and Municipalities, with Rs 63 crore allocated for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s Nagpur district and Rs 175 crore for Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Thane district.

This government decision is significant as the ruling allies are striving to unite for the local and civic body elections, although pressure is mounting from local leaders and party members to consider independent strategies and post-election alliances.