MP leader sparks Ladli Behna scheme controversy

Senior Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah has triggered a fresh political storm after remarks made during a district-level meeting in Ratlam were widely interpreted as linking benefits under the Ladli Behna Scheme to the participation of women beneficiaries in a proposed felicitation programme for Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.

The controversy has erupted at a time when Shah is already facing legal and political scrutiny over an earlier objectionable comment related to an Indian Army officer, further intensifying pressure on the BJP leadership.

Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari launched a scathing attack, accusing the BJP of insulting women beneficiaries and displaying an ‘anti-women mindset’. Former chief minister Kamal Nath also weighed in, alleging that the minister’s remarks treated Ladli Behna beneficiaries as bonded labour and amounted to an attack on the civil rights and dignity of women in the state.

The latest row stems from Shah’s comments while chairing the District Development Advisory Committee meeting in Ratlam on Saturday evening. Referring to the Ladli Behna Scheme — a flagship women-centric programme credited with playing a decisive role in the BJP’s victory in the 2023 Assembly elections — Shah said the district had around 2.5 lakh beneficiaries and suggested that at least 50,000 of them should come forward to felicitate the Chief Minister for completing two years in office. He proposed that the event be organised in the New Year and asked officials to make arrangements accordingly.

However, a video clip of the meeting that later went viral sparked controversy. In the footage, Shah is heard telling officials that beneficiaries who fail to attend the proposed programme could face scrutiny of their documents, including Aadhaar verification, and that their applications could be kept pending.

The remarks were quickly seized upon by the Opposition, which accused the minister of using a welfare scheme as a tool for political mobilisation and intimidation. The Ladli Behna Scheme was launched in June 2023, a few months ahead of the Assembly elections, and currently provides monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,500 to more than 1.26 crore women. The state Government has promised to increase the amount to Rs 3,000 per month by 2028, making the scheme a central pillar of its welfare and political strategy.

As the controversy escalated, speaking to The Pioneer on Sunday, Shah asserting that his remarks had been ‘twisted and misrepresented’. He denied any suggestion that women were being threatened or coerced and said there was no ill intent behind his comments. Emphasising the Government’s commitment to women’s empowerment, Shah said the objective of the scheme is to make women self-reliant and economically secure.

He explained that during an informal discussion at the meeting, concerns were raised about reports of ineligible women allegedly availing benefits under the Ladli Behna Scheme, which had caused resentment among sections of the public.

According to Shah, the discussion focused on the need for proper verification to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries continue to receive assistance and that ineligible names are filtered out in a transparent manner. He maintained that the intent was administrative correction and accountability, not pressure on beneficiaries.

Despite the clarification, the episode has added to a growing list of controversies surrounding the senior minister, reviving debate over the language and conduct of public representatives. With the Ladli Behna Scheme occupying a central place in the BJP’s political narrative, the controversy has also sharpened the Opposition’s attack, setting the stage for a prolonged political confrontation over welfare, accountability and the dignity of beneficiaries.