Ahead of the Maharashtra local body elections, BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Sunday criticised the Congress, accusing the party of being “anti-women” over its letter to the State Election Commission seeking a halt to the monthly stipend under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Scheme until the conclusion of the civic elections, reported the PTI. Speaking to reporters, Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule asserted that the welfare scheme, launched in 2024, does not violate the model code of conduct, which is currently in force for the January 15 municipal corporation elections. He maintained that the scheme is a continuing government initiative and should not be linked to the electoral process. Congress seeks deferment of instalments On Saturday, the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) wrote to the State Election Commission, urging it to direct the government to release the December 2025 and January instalments of the scheme only after the civic polls, as per the PTI. The party argued that the disbursal could influence over one crore women beneficiaries ahead of the elections. BJP cites past opposition …