Mumbai, January 12 (NationPress) – The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has prohibited the Mahayuti government from transferring an early payment of Rs 1,500 for January, alongside the December 2025 aid, into the bank accounts of qualified recipients of the Ladki Bahin Yojana prior to Makar Sankranti on January 14, citing the ongoing electoral process.

Nonetheless, the SEC has permitted the government to proceed with the December 2025 financial support of Rs 1,500, asserting that this action is aligned with the existing scheme and does not breach the Model Code of Conduct for the elections slated for January 15 across 29 municipal corporations.

The SEC requested a report from Chief Secretary Rajesh Agarwal by 11 a.m. on Monday concerning the assertion made by BJP Minister Girish Mahajan that the Mahayuti government intended to deposit Rs 3,000 – covering the aid for both December 2025 and January 2026 – into the accounts of eligible beneficiaries prior to Makar Sankranti.

The Commission sought clarification on whether the government planned to distribute two months' worth of financial assistance together right before the elections.

This decision by the SEC followed criticism from opposition parties who accused the Mahayuti alliance of attempting to influence women voters, thereby violating the Model Code of Conduct.

In a recent post on X, Mahajan stated: “From Deva Bhau, the beloved sisters will receive.. A grand gift for Makar Sankranti! Before January 14, 3000 rupees for the months of December and January will be deposited into the bank accounts of the beloved sisters!”

According to SEC sources, the Commission received a report from the Chief Secretary confirming that the Ladki Bahin Yojana is a continuing initiative, similar to the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana and other programs, and that the government would maintain fund disbursement under this scheme.

The Chief Secretary also clarified that this would not contravene the Model Code of Conduct, as it pertains to ongoing initiatives, sources indicated.

However, the Commission concluded that while the government is authorized to disburse the December 2025 aid to eligible female beneficiaries, it cannot advance the January payment during the electoral period.

Previously, Advocate Sandesh Kondvilkar, General Secretary of the state Congress, submitted a letter to the State Election Commission on Saturday.

He argued that the state government aimed to deposit Rs 3,000 (combined installments for December 2025 and January 2026) into beneficiaries' accounts on January 14, just one day before the elections.

The Congress party contended that this would violate the Model Code of Conduct and serve as an inducement to female voters, urging the Commission to halt the payment.

Amidst the controversy surrounding the timing of the financial aid disbursement, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded, stating: “When we initiated the scheme, Congress leaders attempted to block it in court, but that petition failed. Now they are saying not to distribute the funds. The ‘Ladki Bahin’ initiative is a continuous program of the state government, and such schemes do not fall under the election code of conduct restrictions. Regardless of Congress's statements, the funds will be allocated to our beloved sisters.”

However, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Harshwardhan Sapkal countered: “Congress is not against the Ladki Bahin scheme at all. However, if the government disburses not just one, but two months' worth of funds on January 14 – the day before the elections – it constitutes a clear breach of the code of conduct. Our sole request is for the Commission to prohibit this specific action.”