Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has categorically declared that the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana will remain operational indefinitely, decisively quashing persistent rumors of its termination and reinforcing the government's commitment to women's financial empowerment. Delivering this assurance at a packed political gathering in Thane on Sunday night, Shinde directly linked the scheme's popularity to the Mahayuti alliance's resounding victory in the 2024 state assembly elections, crediting its beneficiaries for mobilizing crucial voter support.

The pledge was made during a significant membership drive event where more than 100 political workers, office-bearers, and former corporators from the Kalyan-Dombivli region—including several prominent defectors from the rival Shiv Sena (UBT) faction—formally joined Shinde's Shiv Sena. In a symbolic gesture of welcome, the Deputy CM personally draped the traditional saffron party scarf around each new inductee, marking their official transition into the ruling faction ahead of crucial local body polls scheduled for next month.

Shinde attributed his party's expanding influence across Maharashtra to its steadfast adherence to the ideological legacy of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray and his own political mentor, the late Anand Dighe. He described the Ladki Bahin Yojana, which disburses monthly financial assistance directly into the bank accounts of eligible women, as the administration's flagship welfare program and the most transformative initiative implemented during his tenure as chief minister from 2022 to 2024.

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Highlighting tangible development achievements, Shinde praised the extensive infrastructure overhaul in Kalyan-Dombivli spearheaded by his son, Lok Sabha MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde, pointing to multi-crore projects that have fundamentally reshaped the region's urban landscape. Looking ahead, the Deputy CM—who oversees urban development and housing portfolios—committed to accelerating cluster redevelopment schemes and providing modern housing solutions for residents currently living in dilapidated and unsafe structures throughout the constituency.

Emphasizing Shiv Sena's organizational ethos, Shinde portrayed the party as a democratic family unit where "no one claims ownership, and every member serves as a dedicated worker." With municipal elections looming, this ironclad guarantee on the Ladki Bahin Yojana's continuity not only strengthens the Mahayuti coalition's electoral narrative but also sends a clear message to women voters about the alliance's long-term welfare priorities.

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