Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam on Friday, 29 May asserted that the Maharashtra government remains firmly committed to the Ladli Bahen welfare scheme, accusing the Opposition of deliberately spreading misinformation to unsettle beneficiaries. His remarks come a day after Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde publicly rebuked Opposition parties for allegedly misleading the public over the Ladki Bahin Yojana, farm loan waivers, and crop insurance programmes.

Government's Stand on Ladli Bahen

Nirupam reiterated that financial assistance to women under the scheme would not be withdrawn under any circumstances. 'The Opposition and certain individuals are trying to create confusion regarding the Maharashtra government's 'Ladli Bahen' scheme. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has already clarified that the scheme will not be discontinued. Under all circumstances, the government will continue to provide financial assistance to mothers and sisters,' Nirupam said.

He further alleged that false narratives about the state's fiscal health were being circulated to instil fear among scheme beneficiaries. 'A conspiracy is being hatched against the scheme through false propaganda regarding Maharashtra's economic condition. The government stands firmly with women and will not allow any such conspiracy to succeed,' he added.

Shinde's Rally Remarks on Farmers and Women

Addressing a Shiv Sena rally in Ahmedpur on Thursday, Eknath Shinde had struck a firm tone on welfare commitments. 'Farmers work tirelessly in difficult weather conditions to feed the nation, but natural calamities often push them into debt. Farmers have the first right over the state treasury. Farmers and women beneficiaries of welfare schemes will not be abandoned,' Shinde said, directly targeting what he described as Opposition misinformation on the Ladki Bahin Yojana.

This comes amid a broader political contest over welfare optics in Maharashtra, where the ruling Mahayuti alliance — comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) — has consistently positioned the Ladki Bahin Yojana as a flagship women's empowerment initiative since its rollout ahead of the 2024 state assembly elections.

Nirupam on Bangladeshi Infiltrators and West Bengal

Reacting to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's recent statement that illegal immigrants should voluntarily return to their home countries without facing legal action, Nirupam said strict enforcement against Bangladeshi infiltrators would intensify once there is a change in government in West Bengal. 'A large number of illegal Bangladeshis are residing in West Bengal and surviving on forged documents. In the interest of national security and demographic balance, strict action should be initiated across the country,' he said.

Karnataka Politics and Pimpri-Chinchwad Liquor Deaths

On political developments in Karnataka following Siddaramaiah's resignation as Chief Minister, Nirupam remarked that the situation remained unsettled. 'The political drama in Karnataka is not over yet. By refusing the Rajya Sabha offer, Siddaramaiah has made it clear that he intends to remain active in state politics. The question is how easy it will be for the new Chief Minister to function effectively in the presence of such a towering political leader,' he said.

Nirupam also expressed condolences over the deaths of several people in Pimpri-Chinchwad allegedly after consuming spurious liquor. He demanded strict action against those involved in the production and distribution of illicit alcohol and called for a crackdown on liquor mafias across Maharashtra. 'Stringent measures must be taken so that poor and common people do not lose their lives because of cheap and toxic alcohol,' he said.

With the Opposition continuing to question the scheme's financial sustainability, the ruling alliance's public reassurances signal that the Ladki Bahin Yojana will remain a central political battleground in Maharashtra ahead of future electoral cycles.