Shiv Sena UBT president Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin, MNS chief Raj Thackeray, held their first rally for the BMC polls on Sunday at the historic Shivaji Park ground, where Shiv Sena was founded. NAGPUR: Maharashtra govt’s decision to credit Mukhyamantri-Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana instalments for Dec 2025 and Jan 2026 to beneficiaries’ accounts on Jan 14, the eve of municipal polls, has become a flashpoint between BJP-led Mahayuti and opposition Congress. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) moved state election commission (SEC), objecting to govt’s decision to credit two months’ instalments, totalling Rs 3,000, barely 24 hours before the civic polls. It termed the release plan a “collective govt bribe”, accusing it of violating model code of conduct to influence over 1 crore women voters. The party urged the commission to direct govt to release the funds only after polling concludes. Revenue minister and Nagpur district guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Sunday dismissed Congress’s objections as political opportunism, asserting that women beneficiaries could not be held hostage to election schedules as the Ladki Bahin scheme predated the announcement of civic polls and had “nothing to do with municipal elections”. “This is an ongoing welfare programme of the state govt. For polls in 29 civic bodies, women across the entire state cannot be deprived of their rightful benefits,” he told a press conference, adding any attempt to stall payments would amount to discrimination against women. Bawankule accused Congress of hypocrisy and obstructionism. “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. “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,” Bawankule said. Nagpur BJP city president Dayashankar Tiwari called it an exposure of Congress’s “anti-women mindset”.About the AuthorProshun ChakrabortyProshun Chakraborty is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience in civic and urban affairs reporting. Currently Editor-Civic Affairs at The Times of India, Nagpur, he leads coverage on municipal governance, public infrastructure, traffic management, RTO affairs, and urban policy shifts. Proshun has built a trusted network across citizens, bureaucracy and political landscape. He is highly respected for his depth in civic journalism and unwavering commitment to public interest reporting. His hobbies include reading, listening to music and travelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Attack On My Life’: Suvendu Adhikari Targets Mamata Banerjee, Levels Serious AllegationUkrainian Envoy Hails PM Modi As Global Leader, Praises Ukraine Peace EffortsChirag Paswan Hits Out At Tejashwi Yadav Over ‘People Lost In Democracy’ commentIndia’s Reform Express Accelerates Growth and Investment, Says PM ModiAmit Shah Confident BJP Will Form Government In Kerala In 2026, Vote Share ClimbingOwaisi Blames Congress, Hits Out at UAPA After SC Denies Bail To Umar Khalid‘Some Historians, Politicians Tried To Whitewash History Of Invaders’: PM Modi Hits Out In Somnath‘Hijab-Clad PM’ Row: Owaisi’s ‘Tubelight’ Jab At Himanta Sarma Over ‘Only Hindu PM’ RemarksRSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Calls For Hindu Unity, Says India Will Lead World In 20–30 YearsPM Modi Offers Prayers At Somnath Temple, Witnesses Grand Drone Show & Fireworks At Swabhiman Parv123PhotostoriesSobhita Dhulipala’s most graceful saree looks – PicsHow to make Instant Rava Appe for breakfastCute parenting moments of Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali KhanInside Nupur Sanon and Stebin Ben’s stylish Christian weddingLohri 2026: 11 must-try Punjabi dishes to celebrate Lohri‘The Raja Saab’: Educational qualification of the star cast10 things 90s kids begged their parents for, that Gen Z will be shocked even existed7 baby girl names inspired by Indian holy places that parents secretly love8 countries around the world most famous for their wildlifeSamantha Ruth Prabhu’s timeless saree looks that redefine elegance123Hot PicksTrump tariffsUS Supreme CourtGold rate todayBengaluru newsCigarette price hikePublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingUS Border Petrol Agent ShootCanada Immigration Applications 2026Kim KardashianVanessa BryantTrump TariffsConnor McDavidNFL PlayoffsAlex BregmanNandani SharmaFortnite Updates
NAGPUR: Maharashtra govt’s decision to credit Mukhyamantri-Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana instalments for Dec 2025 and Jan 2026 to beneficiaries’ accounts on Jan 14, the eve of municipal polls, has become a flashpoint between BJP-led Mahayuti and opposition Congress. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) moved state election commission (SEC), objecting to govt’s decision to credit two months’ instalments, totalling Rs 3,000, barely 24 hours before the civic polls. It termed the release plan a “collective govt bribe”, accusing it of violating model code of conduct to influence over 1 crore women voters. The party urged the commission to direct govt to release the funds only after polling concludes. Revenue minister and Nagpur district guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Sunday dismissed Congress’s objections as political opportunism, asserting that women beneficiaries could not be held hostage to election schedules as the Ladki Bahin scheme predated the announcement of civic polls and had “nothing to do with municipal elections”. “This is an ongoing welfare programme of the state govt. For polls in 29 civic bodies, women across the entire state cannot be deprived of their rightful benefits,” he told a press conference, adding any attempt to stall payments would amount to discrimination against women. Bawankule accused Congress of hypocrisy and obstructionism. “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. “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,” Bawankule said. Nagpur BJP city president Dayashankar Tiwari called it an exposure of Congress’s “anti-women mindset”.