Mumbai: The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has sought an urgent report from Chief Secretary Rajesh Agarwal over BJP Minister Girish Mahajan’s statement that the state government will credit Rs 3,000 to beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin Yojana before Makar Sankranti on January 14.

The Election Commission has asked the Chief Secretary to submit the factual report by Monday, amid strong political controversy surrounding the timing of the financial aid announcement.

The SEC’s action follows sharp criticism from opposition parties, who allege that the Mahayuti government’s move amounts to an attempt to influence women voters and violates the Model Code of Conduct, ahead of elections to 29 municipal corporations scheduled for January 15.

Last week, Minister Girish Mahajan posted on X stating that eligible beneficiaries under the Ladki Bahin Scheme would receive combined instalments for December 2025 and January 2026, amounting to Rs 3,000, before the festival.

Congress leader and Advocate Sandesh Kondvilkar, General Secretary of the Maharashtra Congress, formally wrote to the SEC on Saturday, claiming the proposed disbursement is a pre-poll inducement and demanded that the Commission halt the payment.

Sources in the Election Commission confirmed that a letter was sent to the Chief Secretary seeking clarity on whether the government indeed intends to release two months’ financial assistance on the eve of polling and requested a response by 11 a.m. Monday.

Amid the escalating row, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended the move, stating that Ladki Bahin Yojana is a continuous welfare programme, and therefore does not fall under Model Code restrictions. He accused Congress of attempting to obstruct financial support meant for women beneficiaries.

However, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Harshwardhan Sapkal reiterated that Congress is not against the scheme but insisted that releasing two instalments a day before voting is a direct violation of election norms and must be stopped.

The SEC’s report request marks a significant development in Maharashtra’s ongoing political battle over welfare disbursement, election ethics, and voter inducement concerns, ahead of key urban local body polls.

IANS