Eknath Shinde Promises ₹2100 for Ladki Bahin Yojana: ZP Election Update

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is back in full campaign mode. With the Zilla Parishad (ZP) elections scheduled for February 5, 2026, the Shiv Sena leader has hit the ground running, making massive announcements to woo voters.

Speaking at a rally in Satara district yesterday, Shinde made a major promise regarding the popular “Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana”, assuring women that the monthly financial aid would be increased significantly. While the Mahayuti alliance governs the state, interesting local political shifts are also happening, with Shinde’s faction reportedly making tactical moves to counter the BJP in certain districts.

Here is a detailed report on Eknath Shinde’s latest announcements and the political drama unfolding in Maharashtra this week.

The Big Promise: Ladki Bahin Installment to Rise

The highlight of Shinde’s campaign speech in Satara (Taldeo and Kelghar) was his commitment to the women of Maharashtra. He announced that the monthly installment for the Ladki Bahin Yojana would be hiked from the current ₹1,500 to ₹2,100.

“Inspired by My Mother’s Struggle”

Connecting emotionally with the crowd, Shinde explained the personal reason behind launching this scheme during his tenure as Chief Minister. He stated that witnessing his own mother’s pain in running the household and his wife’s daily financial struggles inspired him to create a safety net for women.

“The opposition keeps reminding us of the promise. I assure you, at the appropriate time, we are going to increase the amount to ₹2,100,” Shinde declared, receiving loud applause. He credited this scheme for the Mahayuti alliance’s massive victory in the recent assembly elections, where they won 232 seats.

Zilla Parishad Elections 2026: Campaign in Full Swing

The Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections, slated for February 5, 2026, are seen as a litmus test for the ruling coalition’s popularity at the grassroots level.

• Aggressive Campaigning: Shinde has lined up rallies across Satara and Solapur until February 2.
• Skipping Cabinet Meetings: Showing his dedication to the party’s performance, reports suggest Shinde even skipped the weekly state cabinet meeting on Tuesday to focus entirely on the campaign trail.

Local Twists: Friends in State, Rivals in Districts?

While the Shiv Sena (Shinde) and BJP are firm partners in the state government (with Devendra Fadnavis as CM), the local election dynamics tell a different story.

The Barshi Experiment

In a surprising development in Solapur’s Barshi taluka, reports indicate a “rare unity” between rival factions. The Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) have reportedly formed a local understanding to check the BJP’s growing dominance. This tactical move aims to prevent the BJP from sweeping local bodies, even though Shinde and BJP are allies at the state level.

Kalyan-Dombivli Moves

Similarly, in the Kalyan-Dombivli region, Shinde’s faction is reportedly coordinating with Raj Thackeray’s MNS to maintain a stronghold, signaling that local turf wars are being fought independently of state-level alliances.

What Happens Next?

• Polling Day: Voting for 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis will take place on February 5, 2026.
• Results: The counting of votes is scheduled for February 7, 2026.
• Impact: If Shinde’s party performs well, it will strengthen his bargaining power within the Mahayuti coalition and validate his claim as the true inheritor of Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy.

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