Election Commission asks Maharashtra govt to stop Ladki Bahin Yojana transfer a day ahead of BMC polls

The controversy centres on the state government’s plan to credit instalments for December 2025 and January 2026 -- amounting to Rs 3,000 -- into beneficiaries’ bank accounts on January 14, the eve of polling. (Representative image)

• EC halts Ladki Bahin Yojana fund transfer before civic polls
• Congress claims payments before voting violate Model Code of Conduct
• BJP defends scheme as ongoing welfare, not linked to elections

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The Election Commission on Monday stopped the transfer of money under Maharashtra’s Mukhyamantri-Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana to beneficiaries, stepping in barely a day before civic body elections across the state.

The decision followed a representation from the Congress, which urged the poll panel to stop any fund disbursal once the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into force, warning that last-minute payments could sway voters.

The controversy centres on the state government’s plan to credit instalments for December 2025 and January 2026 -- amounting to Rs 3,000 -- into beneficiaries’ bank accounts on January 14, the eve of polling.

The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) approached the State Election Commission, objecting to the timing of the transfer and alleging that releasing two months’ benefits within 24 hours of voting amounted to an inducement.

It described the move as a “collective govt bribe” and argued that it violated the MCC, particularly given the scheme’s reach among over one crore women voters. The party sought directions that payments be made only after polling concludes.

The BJP-led Mahayuti government, however, strongly rejected the allegations. Revenue Minister and Nagpur district guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule dismissed the Congress’s objections as politically motivated, insisting the welfare programme had no link to the civic elections.

“This is an ongoing welfare programme of the state government. For polls in 29 civic bodies, women across the entire state cannot be deprived of their rightful benefits,” he said at a press conference. He further argued that halting payments would unfairly penalise beneficiaries, adding that the scheme had been launched well before the election schedule was announced.

Bawankule accused the Congress of inconsistency, claiming it had opposed the initiative from the start.

“When this govt launched the scheme, Congress tried everything to stop it. Former MPCC president Nana Patole attempted to derail the scheme by encouraging a petition in the high court,” he alleged. Emphasising the scale of the programme, he said, “With nearly 2.5 crore beneficiaries, stopping payments because of elections would cause real hardship. Welfare cannot be switched on and off for political convenience.”

Nagpur Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) city president Dayashankar Tiwari also termed the Congress' stand an example of its “anti-women mindset,” intensifying the political sparring as the state heads into crucial municipal polls.