'What Is Maharashtra's Fault?' Aaditya Thackeray Slams Union Budget for 'Neglecting' State

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Maharashtra MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday slammed the BJP-led central government for “neglecting Maharashtra” in the Union Budget 2024. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Budget, which includes significant allocations for sectors like agriculture, education, industry, and healthcare. However, the substantial funds earmarked for Andhra Pradesh and Bihar have drawn the ire of Maharashtra’s opposition leaders.

Aaditya Thackeray said, “How do you justify the massive allocations to Bihar and Andhra Pradesh under the guise of saving the government? What exactly is Maharashtra’s fault? Despite contributing the highest taxes to the Centre, Maharashtra has received no proportional provision in the Budget. Why does the BJP hold a grudge against Maharashtra? Who gave them the right to disrespect our state?”

Highlighting the “discriminatory treatment” towards Maharashtra over the past decade, Thackeray accused the current government of corruption and mismanagement. “An unconstitutional government is running the state, and their tenure is marked by the highest levels of corruption,” he remarked. Thackeray also directed his criticism towards chief minister Eknath Shinde, urging that “the government should consider the income and wealth of the people of Maharashtra in their policies”.

However, targeting the Shiv Sena (UBT), Maharashtra deputy CM and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis listed what the state has “received”. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always given priority to Maharashtra. The opposition is just trying to mislead the people of the state,” he said.

The generous Budget allocations to Andhra Pradesh and Bihar are seen by observers as a necessity of the BJP to secure the support of allies N Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar. Without their backing, the BJP-led central government could slip below the majority mark.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra’s economic situation remains a cause for concern. Critics say the state struggles to receive the necessary funds for governance, leading to public distress. The lack of adequate financial support from the Centre exacerbates the woes of the state’s administration, impacting essential services and development projects.

As the debate over the Budget allocations intensifies, the resentment in certain sections of Maharashtra highlights broader concerns about federal equity and the fair distribution of resources among states.