Kolhapur, Aug 22 (Reporter) Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday launched the 'Majhi Ladki Bahin' yojana in the presence of Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, here. Addressing a rally organised at Tapovan Maidan this afternoon to honour beneficiary women of 'Ladki Bahin' yojana as a part of women empowerment campaign in the state, he tried to dismiss the opposition's claims that the state government will discontinue the 'Ladki Bahin' yojana after assembly election. He claimed that "The state government will not discontinue 'Ladki Bahin' yojana even though the opposition parties in the state keep criticising this yojana, on the contrary, the government will double its amount..." The Chief Minister further claimed that total 1.10 crore women in the state have benefited from the 'Ladki Bahin' yojana so far and said that the government will bring many such welfare and development schemes for women, farmers and youths. Unhappy with this, the opposition was criticising the government which would work with speed and would not take note of their criticism, he said. On pending demands of Kolhapur, Shinde said that the government was positive about setting up of a bench of the Bombay high court here. On proposed Shaktipeeth national highway, he said that the government would discuss the matter with farmers affected due to this project. Speaking at the event, Fadnavis accused the opposition of trying to stop 'Ladki Bahin' yojana and said that the government's first preference is security of 'Ladki Bahin', in the wake of alleged sexual assault on two minor girls in a school in Badlapur town of Thane district. Despite the opposition's attempts to suspend the yojana, the government will continue the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme along with ensuring security of women. On calls for his resignation from the post, Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, stated clearly that he will not resign but will work to give justice to the victims' families. While, Pawar said that he would not let women's faith in him to shatter and would continue this scheme further...////...