Every year, a fortnight before Diwali, employees' unions expect a Diwali bonus. But, with Maharashtra Assembly elections around the corner and the code of conduct likely to be announced at any time, one of the unions has already demanded the bonus, the officials said.

The Municipal Mazdoor Sangh, headed by MP Ramdash Athawale, has demanded a Rs. 40,000 Diwali bonus for employees of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).