Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday took a sharp dig at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, asserting that his government would not stall ongoing projects, unlike the former chief minister. Speaking during a motion to thank Governor CP Radhakrishnan for his address to the legislature, Fadnavis defended the decisions made under the previous Mahayuti government, emphasizing collective decision-making.

“I am not Uddhav Thackeray to halt ongoing projects. The decisions taken when Eknath Shinde was CM were not his alone; they were mine and Ajit Pawar’s responsibility as well,” Fadnavis said. He highlighted the collaborative nature of the Mahayuti government, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, where all alliance leaders are involved in decision-making.

Fadnavis dismissed allegations of stalling projects, stating, “Even if a divisional commissioner halts a scheme for not meeting central guidelines, it is blamed on me.” He underscored the strong mandate the Mahayuti alliance received in last year’s assembly elections, vowing to fulfill the people’s aspirations.

“People have reposed their trust in the Mahayuti, and we are working on the future course of action to fulfil their dreams and aspirations,” he added.

The Chief Minister outlined a 100-day action plan aimed at improving governance from taluka-level offices to Mantralaya. The plan focuses on enhancing office records and ensuring people-friendly administration. The Quality Council of India (QCI) will assess each department’s performance, with top performers being felicitated on May 1.

“We want to introduce a new work culture,” Fadnavis said, emphasizing efficiency and accountability.

Fadnavis announced that Mumbai’s Metro 3, the country’s longest underground metro line, will be fully operational by June 2025, with all metro corridors set to open by 2027. He also criticized the Opposition for praising Gujarat’s investment inflows, asserting that Maharashtra has attracted three times more investment than its neighboring state.

“Stop praising Gujarat. At this rate, the state won’t even need advertisements,” he remarked.

The Chief Minister highlighted the proposed 802-kilometer Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway, which will pass through 12 districts, primarily in Marathwada. He described the project as a key driver of economic growth, enhancing connectivity between Konkan, south Maharashtra, and central India.

The expressway will traverse Wardha, Yavatmal, Hingoli, Nanded, Parbhani, Beed, Latur, Dharashiv, Solapur, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Sindhudurg before entering Goa. Addressing opposition to the project in Kolhapur, Fadnavis revealed that 200 farmers from five talukas in the district had assured him of their support during a meeting on Thursday.

Fadnavis reiterated his commitment to collaborative governance and accelerated development, contrasting his approach with that of the previous administration. His remarks underscored the Mahayuti government’s focus on infrastructure, investment, and administrative reforms, setting the stage for a renewed push toward progress in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra women eagerly anticipating the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana will soon receive a much-anticipated ₹3,000 payment for the months of February and March. The Maharashtra government plans to deposit these funds into the accounts of 2.52 crore eligible beneficiaries on March 8, just in time for International Women’s Day 2025.

Women and Child Welfare Minister Aditi Tatkare announced this development regarding the eighth and ninth installments of the scheme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to providing financial support to women in need. “On the occasion of Women’s Day, all eligible beneficiaries of the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana will receive ₹3,000 by March 7, 2025,” Tatkare stated, bringing relief and joy to many women who had felt anxious about the delay in receiving these payments.

The Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana was initially introduced by the Mahayuti-led Maharashtra government during the 2024 Assembly election campaign. The scheme aims to empower economically disadvantaged women by providing them with regular financial support. Each eligible woman is entitled to receive ₹1,500 per month.

Unfortunately, some technical issues caused a delay in processing the eighth installment for February, adding to beneficiaries’ concerns. To address these worries, the government decided to facilitate the transfer of both the February and March installments simultaneously.

In the context of the ongoing discussions surrounding the scheme, many women had hoped for an increase in the monthly installment amount from ₹1,500 to ₹2,100, as promised by the Mahayuti government during the election campaign. However, during the recent Maharashtra Legislative Assembly budget session, no updates on this increase were provided. When Shiv Sena MLA Anil Parab inquired about this potential raise, Minister Aditi Tatkare clarified, “At present, no decision has been made to increase the installment to ₹2,100.”

While the upcoming ₹3,000 payment offers significant relief to countless beneficiaries ahead of Women’s Day, uncertainty remains regarding any future increase in support under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. Nevertheless, the immediate financial assistance is a welcome development for many women across Maharashtra.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday shouted during a session of the State Legislative Council after an opposition RJD member raised concerns about the inadequate number of girls’ schools in her constituency. The heated exchange highlighted growing tensions between the ruling JD(U) and the opposition RJD over education and women’s empowerment in the state.

The incident occurred when RJD MLC Urmila Thakur expressed dissatisfaction with the response provided by Education Minister Sunil Kumar to her question about the lack of girls’ schools in her Begusarai district. Thakur pointed out that in many villages, girls are forced to walk four to five kilometers to reach the nearest school, depriving them of education.

Nitish Kumar, visibly irritated, retorted from his seat, “Do you people even know what we have done for girls’ education? Village girls hardly went to schools in Bihar until we came to power.” Thakur, however, countered the Chief Minister’s remarks, stating, “Sir, please do not say that. I too hail from a village. I belong to an older generation, yet I completed my schooling.”

Another RJD MLC, Munni Devi Rajak, joined the debate, asserting, “We have the right to question the government. It is your job to answer it.” Thakur attempted to calm the situation, urging Rajak to remain quiet and let her continue.

The Chief Minister, however, escalated the confrontation, rising to his feet and lashing out at the opposition. “You have no idea what has been done by us for women. You may be women yourselves, but what has been your contribution?” he questioned.

Kumar then targeted Rabri Devi, his predecessor and current leader of the opposition in the Upper House. Recalling the circumstances under which Rabri Devi became Chief Minister, Kumar said, “When her husband began to sink, he installed his wife [in the CM’s post].” He was referring to the time when Lalu Prasad, then Chief Minister, resigned after an arrest warrant was issued against him in the fodder scam case and handed over the reins to his wife.

“Your party [RJD] did nothing. You people know nothing. Whatever has been done for women, it has been done by me. Now women have no problems,” Kumar fumed before sitting down.

The exchange left Education Minister Sunil Kumar visibly bewildered. Order was restored only after Council Chairman Awadhesh Narain Singh intervened, urging opposition members to relent.

After Kumar left the House, RJD MLC Sunil Kumar Singh raised objections to the Chief Minister’s reference to Lalu Prasad as “her husband,” calling it disrespectful. Singh urged the Chairman to expunge the remark from the proceedings, stating, “Her husband is such a giant leader who is known to all. The manner in which the leader of the House spoke of him was uncalled for.”

However, Chairman Singh ruled that the remark did not warrant expunction, as it was not “unparliamentary.”

The heated debate underscores the ongoing political friction between the JD(U) and RJD in Bihar, particularly over issues of education and women’s empowerment. While Kumar emphasized his government’s achievements in improving girls’ education, the opposition accused him of failing to address persistent gaps in access to schools.