Thackeray Blames BJP for Maharashtra EV Policy Concerns

Aaditya Thackeray Targets BJP Over Maharashtra EV Policy After Rajiv Bajaj Flags ‘Failure’ Risk​

Mumbai, February 25: A political flashpoint has emerged in Maharashtra after Aaditya Thackeray seized upon critical remarks by Rajiv Bajaj regarding the state’s electric vehicle policy, accusing the BJP-led government of pushing it toward collapse.

The comments follow Bajaj’s warning in a televised interview that Maharashtra’s EV policy could be headed for what he described as a potential “policy failure.”

Bajaj Flags Delays in EV Subsidy Disbursal​

In the interview, Bajaj responded to questions on whether states were uniform in disbursing electric vehicle subsidies. He said that while delays in subsidy payments are not unusual across states, pending dues are typically cleared over time.

However, he drew a distinction in the case of Maharashtra.

“In my 35 years, I have never witnessed anything that I could call a policy failure by the government. But I think it is about to happen, with the Maharashtra government's EV policy,” Bajaj said.

According to him, EV subsidies in Maharashtra were disbursed until April 2023. Since then, the pace of disbursal has slowed significantly. He claimed that most, if not all, players in the industry have been impacted by the delays.

Thackeray Defends 2021 EV Policy​

Thackeray, a former Maharashtra minister, responded to Bajaj’s remarks in a post on X on Tuesday, linking the current situation to the change in government in the state.

He said the Electric Vehicle Policy 2021, introduced by the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, was “active and dynamic” and provided a strong push to the EV ecosystem.

“The EV policy 2021 was active and dynamic, giving a boost to the entire sector. Businesses, customers, everyone in the EV business considered our policy to be the best in India,” Thackeray wrote.

He further alleged that after the change in government, the BJP-led administration shifted its focus, resulting in the weakening of a policy that had shown success in its early years.

EV Policy Under Scrutiny​

The controversy has brought renewed attention to Maharashtra’s electric vehicle framework, particularly around subsidy implementation and administrative continuity.

Bajaj’s remarks highlight industry concerns over subsidy delays, while Thackeray’s response underscores the political dimension of the issue. With the EV sector relying heavily on timely incentives to sustain momentum, the debate has intensified over the future direction and execution of the state’s electric mobility policy.

As subsidy disbursals remain a central point of contention, the Maharashtra EV policy is now at the centre of both industry and political scrutiny.