Opposition leaders in Maharashtra are alleging a massive financial scandal involving the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana welfare scheme.
These accusations coincide with reports of a political maneuvering effort, referred to as either "Operation Maharashtra" or "Operation Tiger," which threatens the stability of the opposition coalition. The intersection of a financial scandal and potential party defections could shift the balance of power in the state assembly.
Leaders from the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) have described the Ladki Bahin scheme as one of the biggest scandals in the state. They allege a financial loss ranging from Rs 24,000 crore [1] to Rs 24,300 crore [2]. The scheme, which identified 80 lakh beneficiaries [1], is now the center of a political firestorm.
Simultaneously, rumors of internal fractures within the Shiv Sena (UBT) have surfaced. Some reports suggest that up to 16 MLAs and six MPs may be eyeing an exit from the party [3]. This potential exodus has created a crisis for Uddhav Thackeray, as the BJP is accused of driving these rebels to weaken the opposition.
Sanjay Dwivedi (UBT) said the BJP’s ethics are being betrayed, invoking Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s stand against poaching breakaway factions. However, other figures have already signaled a shift. Swagata Shah said, "We are with BJP for the development and betterment of society."
Despite these reports, senior functionaries in the Congress and NCP (SP) said none of their MPs or MLAs would defect [4]. The opposition continues to maintain that the BJP is attempting to split their ranks while exploiting the Ladki Bahin scandal for political gain.
“"The BJP’s ethics are being betrayed," said Sanjay Dwivedi.”
The simultaneous emergence of a high-value financial scandal and a coordinated effort to induce defections suggests a high-stakes attempt to destabilize the opposition's legislative strength. If a significant number of Shiv Sena (UBT) members defect, it would not only diminish Uddhav Thackeray's political leverage but also potentially provide the ruling coalition with a more secure majority, regardless of the outcome of the Ladki Bahin investigations.
