'Ajit Pawar Hijacking Scheme': Shiv Sena On Eknath Shinde's Name Missing In Ads

Excise Minister Shambhuraj Desai said not using the full name of the 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin' scheme during Mr Pawar's public outreach programmes was not as per protocol.

Fissures have emerged in Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti over the 'Ladki Bahin Yojana' with a Shiv Sena minister raising objection against ally NCP and its president Ajit Pawar for "omitting" Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's name from advertisements and promotional material of the scheme.

Speaking to reporters here on Friday, state Excise Minister Shambhuraj Desai, who belongs to the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Shinde, expressed disappointment over Deputy Chief Minister Pawar virtually "hijacking" the 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin' scheme, which offers a financial assistance of Rs 1,500 per month to eligible women in the state.

He said not using the full name of the scheme during his (Mr Pawar's) public outreach programmes was not as per protocol.