Congress moves Election Commission over Ladki Bahin transfers before BMC polls in Maharashtra

The Maharashtra government’s choice to transfer two instalments of the Mukhyamantri-Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana right before the municipal elections has sparked intense political friction.

This action sets the ruling Bharatiya Janata party-led Mahayuti alliance directly against the opposition Congress, with critics reportedly calling  it  vote-buying at a crucial electoral moment.  

Authorities have declared that funds covering December 2025 and January 2026 totaling ₹3,000 per beneficiary will deposit into recipients' accounts on January 14. 

This schedule positions the payout merely 24 hours before voting commences across multiple civic bodies.

The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has lodged a complaint with the State Election Commission (SEC) against the timing of the scheme's fund disbursement.

Congress leaders contend that releasing two months' instalments just before elections equates to a “collective government bribe” and breaches the model code of conduct. 

They argue this targets more than one crore women voters and have urged the SEC to order a deferral of payments until after voting ends.

Revenue Minister and Nagpur district guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule rejected these accusations, labeling Congress objections as politically motivated. 

He emphasized that the Ladki Bahin scheme launched well ahead of civic poll announcements, positioning it as a non-electoral welfare measure.

Bawankule further cautioned that suspending payments would discriminate against beneficiaries and cause undue hardship. 

With nearly 2.5 crore women enrolled, he reportedly said halting funds for polls would be impractical, adding, “Welfare schemes cannot be switched on and off to suit political convenience”.

He also accused Congress of trying to derail the initiative from the start, claiming former MPCC president Nana Patole had filed a high court petition to obstruct it.