Mumbai, September 12 (Daily Kiran) : Shiv Sena (UBT) has sharply criticized the rising global trend of distributing free gifts during election seasons. In an editorial published in their mouthpiece ‘Saamana,’ the faction led by Uddhav Thackeray draws parallels between U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed “Trump Dividend” plan and welfare schemes introduced by political parties in India.
The editorial claims that the “freebie culture” promoted by Trump in the U.S. and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India has weakened democratic values and harmed human dignity. It highlights ongoing welfare programs in India, such as the “Ladki Bahin” initiative, while also pointing out that if the Republican Party gains control of both houses of Congress, Trump’s proposal to deposit $5,000 into every adult American’s bank account is merely an electoral ploy.
According to Thackeray’s faction, Trump’s “Trump Dividend” aims to secure electoral support through direct cash transfers. They argue that implementing such a plan would burden the U.S. treasury with over $1 trillion, especially as the national debt exceeds $40 trillion and the annual fiscal deficit stands at $1.8 trillion.
The editorial also notes that Trump’s announcement has caused unease within his own party. It references concerns about the financial implications of the proposal and the challenges of its implementation. It states, “Congress approval would be necessary for such cash assistance. As soon as Trump announced the $5,000 payment, leaders and ministers in his party were taken aback. Vice President J.D. Vance expressed clear disappointment, attempting to clarify that funds would only be distributed after thorough scrutiny and legal processes to ensure wealthy adults do not benefit. This reflects the same strategy employed by the Indian government: making grand announcements and then delaying implementation through conditions and bureaucratic hurdles.”
Citing India’s past, Shiv Sena (UBT) recalls Modi’s 2014 promise to deposit ₹15 lakh into every Indian’s bank account, a commitment that remains unfulfilled. The party criticizes various welfare schemes announced by state governments across the country, asserting that these programs are increasingly being used as electoral tactics.
The editorial emphasizes that critical issues such as unemployment, inflation, and farmers’ distress remain unresolved in India, while the Trump administration has also struggled to address domestic challenges.
Claiming that “the politics of giving away freebies” has become a global trend, the editorial accuses governments of relying more on taxpayer-funded freebies to win elections. It concludes that such politics, whether in India or the U.S., compromises democratic principles and diminishes accountability to the public.
The editorial states, “What Modi and Shah are doing in India, Trump is mirroring in America. Using public funds, distributing freebies, and winning elections. While the beneficiaries may differ, the underlying political ideology remains the same.”
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