Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has challenged the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to prove their allegations against the government on the floor of the state legislature as the Budget Session commences this week. Shinde criticized the opposition for making claims outside the legislature and urged them to address issues during official proceedings. He emphasized the importance of presenting credible evidence of corruption or administrative failures within the legislative framework for formal discussion and resolution.
Shinde also raised concerns about the opposition’s lack of organizational unity, highlighting the absence of officially recognized Leaders of the Opposition in both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. He clarified that decisions regarding the appointment of Leaders of the Opposition would be made by the Assembly Speaker and the Chairman of the Legislative Council, dismissing allegations of government interference in these appointments.
The Deputy Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to development and welfare programs, including initiatives like the Majhi Ladki Bahin program. He assured that the government’s performance would undergo scrutiny during legislative debates. Shinde further criticized a recent protest by Youth Congress workers at the AI Summit in New Delhi, labeling such actions as inappropriate and detrimental to the nation’s reputation.
Regarding the recent incident of a pillar collapse at an under-construction Metro site in Mulund, Shinde highlighted the government’s prompt response, which included suspending the Executive Engineer involved and initiating a comprehensive safety audit of ongoing infrastructure projects. He announced financial aid of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased and full medical coverage for the injured, with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) offering additional compensation of Rs 15 lakh.
Shinde emphasized that the upcoming Budget for 2026–27 would prioritize public welfare and development, expressing confidence that it would positively impact citizens across the state.
