Pune: In a heartfelt video message just days before the assembly polls in the state, Deputy CM and NCP President Ajit Pawar expressed his deep gratitude to the women of Maharashtra for their overwhelming love and support. Talking about the success of Mahayuti government’s flagship scheme Majhi Ladki Bahin Scheme, Ajit Pawar said the scheme has empowered the women by making them self-reliant. ‘The scheme has helped beloved sisters stand firmly on their own feet,’ said Ajit Pawar. He appealed to women of Maharashtra to support him in the upcoming assembly polls. 

He also attacked the opposition for continuously attacking the scheme first on its feasibility, and then on its implementation, and once the scheme was implemented opposition created a narrative that while the money is coming now, the scheme will be discontinued after the elections. Narrating the personal stories of women, he said women have utilized money to start small businesses to support their families. In another case, one woman used two months' installment along with some of her own savings for buying a sewing machine. He highlighted that such stories are emerging across the state. He informed over 2.5 crore women have already received five months installment totaling Rs 7500. 

Ajit Pawar who also serves as the finance minister of the state announced the Majhi Ladki Bahin Scheme in this year’s budget and made a budgetary provision of Rs 46,000 crore. Under the scheme, government provides Rs 1500 to women. Reaffirming his commitment to women empowerment, Ajit Pawar said though many in opposition have claimed of stopping the scheme but ‘I swear by every rakhi you have tied on my wrist—I will never allow this scheme to be stopped’. Ajit Pawar also said that after the elections, government will work on increasing the amount of the benefits.

Thanking women for their love and support, Ajit Pawar said ‘my sisters in Maharashtra will give a fitting response to those who dream of ending this scheme in the upcoming elections.’