NEW DELHI: Maharashtra state election commission on Monday barred the Mahayuti government from dispensing the stipend under ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme for the month of January. The move came in view of enforcing the model code of conduct for municipal elections.The SEC issued the clarification after receiving multiple complaints triggered by media reports that claimed beneficiaries would be credited Rs 3,000 — covering the December and January instalments — in their bank accounts before January 14 as a Makar Sankranti gift.

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BJP leader and minister Girish Mahajan had earlier said that eligible beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin scheme would get a total payment of Rs 3,000 for December and January credited to their bank accounts ahead of Makar Sankranti.The Opposition described the announcement as an attempt to sway voters ahead of the January 15 elections to 29 municipal corporations.“These selfish brothers have no emotion. They stopped the instalment for two months and disbursed the amount during the election campaign. They seek something in return. The sisters should show these selfish brothers their place as they expect a return gift in the form of votes,” state Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said.The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is one of the state government’s key welfare schemes, providing eligible women with a monthly aid of Rs 1,500. The programme is widely seen as a major factor behind the Mahayuti alliance’s win in the 2024 state assembly elections.