MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena (UBT) has criticised the launch of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana in Bihar, alleging that it is nothing more than a “voter bribery scheme” ahead of the state assembly elections.
In a strongly worded editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamana, the Thackeray camp slammed the BJP for transferring Rs 10, 000 each into the bank accounts of 75 lakh women -- a total of Rs 7, 500 crore -- calling it an attempt to sway voters with money power.
It said both the Election Commission of India and the Supreme Court have turned a blind eye to such practices. "Every Indian should condemn the voter bribery scheme. It has raised doubts about the transparency and fairness of the elections. This type of buying Indian voters and gaining control over democracy is shocking, " it said.
Thackeray camp accused the Election Commission of India of being shameless, saying that it, along with the Supreme Court, is serving the BJP by sitting in constitutional positions.
“If these constitutional bodies are working as 'branches' of the BJP, then the elections in the country are just a farce. The BJP and Nitish Kumar alliance seemed confident of winning the elections. However, Rahul Gandhi thwarted their plans by accusing them of vote theft, like in Haryana and Maharashtra. Therefore, Prime Minister Modi has devised a plan to buy votes using the government treasury, " it alleged.
Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena further claimed that this bribe given from the tax money of the people is an economic crime, but the rulers have said that the women will be able to set up industries and businesses from the aid received under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana.
Of the 1.11 crore women applicants, assistance has been approved for 75 lakh women. “Elections will be held in Bihar in the next two months. This 'bribery' was given away to buy votes a few days before the poll announcement. Prime Minister Modi himself is encouraging Indian voters to vote for money. The Election Commission should have taken a serious note of this, " it said.