Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 25: In a fierce editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana, the Shiv Sena (UBT) launched a no-holds-barred attack on the BJP-led Mahayuti government in Maharashtra and the central government, alleging that both were formed through electoral fraud or what it called “vote chori”. The party accused Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, of coming to power not through public support, but by manipulating votes and abusing government schemes, particularly the “Ladki Bahin Yojana”.

The editorial asserted that bogus beneficiaries were used as a front to siphon off crores from the state treasury — an operation it claims directly influenced the election outcome. Alleging that nearly 30 lakh fake ‘beloved sisters’ were listed as beneficiaries under the scheme, Shiv Sena (UBT) said this not only diverted funds but also manipulated public sentiment in constituencies where the ruling alliance scraped past with slim margins. The piece accused the government of giving payouts even to men under the women-centric scheme, describing the entire operation as a calculated fraud.

The party claimed that opposition candidates have submitted complaints with evidence to the Election Commission, particularly pointing to alleged rigging in Panvel, Dharashiv, and Shirur, but said the poll body has failed to act. It mocked repeated assertions from the Mahayuti leaders that they have a public mandate, calling such statements hollow slogans that contradict the reality of manipulated votes.

Further, the editorial took a scathing tone against Fadnavis and his team, accusing them of orchestrating embezzlement masked as empowerment. It said rakhis being tied by fake beneficiaries during official events only highlighted the brazenness of the alleged scam. It described the celebration of such programmes as a mockery of genuine women’s empowerment, calling it an insult to the self-respect of real women across the state.

Drawing parallels with international accountability, the editorial referenced the recent arrest of former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe over fund misuse, calling for similar action against Indian leaders allegedly involved in corruption. Shiv Sena (UBT) said that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were serious about transparency, they would dismiss Fadnavis, Shinde, and Pawar and initiate legal proceedings.

In concluding remarks, the party branded the Mahayuti regime as unconstitutional, corrupt, and unrepresentative of the people's will — a government born not from democracy but deception.