Shinde's master-stroke yields rich dividends

The chief minister realised the political potential of this cash transfer scheme for women voters, who number 47 million in the state

- S Balakrishnan

The BJP has scored a jaw-dropping electoral victory. But the person who contributed majorly to this massive success is not even a member of the party. He is Chief Minister Eknath Shinde (60).

It was Shinde's master-stroke in the form of the Ladki Bahin Scheme that played a crucial role in the Mahayuti's victory. In fact, Shinde borrowed the idea from the then Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Chouhan, who floated the Ladki Behena scheme. He realised the political potential of this cash-transfer scheme for women voters, who number 47 million in the state. Shinde became the face of the scheme, which he implemented extensively throughout Maharashtra. It is said that he defeated Shiv Sena (UBT) with DBT, direct benefit transfer through the Ladki Bahin scheme.