India, May 4 -- Payouts to the bahins (sisters) of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which has led to the diversion of Rs.746 crore meant for scheduled castes (SCs) and scheduled tribes (STs), has led to a furious backlash and some colourful name-calling within the coalition.

Social justice minister Sanjay Shirsat (Shiv Sena), whose department oversees the welfare of SCs, has attacked finance minister and deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar, whose department authorised the diversion of funds despite the deepening debt in the state's treasury.

Furious at being bypassed, Shirsat remarked, "This has been happening regularly. In the last financial year, Rs.7,000 crore was diverted for the scheme. This is being done by 'Shakuni' (one who creates t...