Patna— The political battle over women voters has reached fever pitch in Bihar ahead of the first phase of Assembly elections. The contest now revolves around rival cash transfer schemes, with the Mahagathbandhan (MGB) and the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) offering competing financial incentives aimed at securing the crucial female vote.
RJD leader and MGB’s chief ministerial candidate, Tejashwi Yadav, unveiled the “Mai Bahin Maan Yojana,” promising ₹30,000 annually to every woman in the state if the alliance comes to power. The transfer would be made each year on January 14 (Makar Sankranti) and is intended to provide “long-term economic relief” amid rising inflation. Yadav emphasized that over a five-year term, women would receive a cumulative ₹1.5 lakh directly into their accounts.
The proposal directly counters the NDA’s Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, which offers a one-time grant of ₹10,000 to help women start small-scale businesses. Tejashwi questioned its effectiveness, saying, “Tell me, how can anyone start a business with just ₹10,000? The NDA is exploiting the women of Bihar, but they are aware and won’t be fooled again.”
He further promised additional benefits for ‘Jeevika Didis’, women working under self-help groups across Bihar. These include ₹2,000 per month, ₹5 lakh insurance coverage, and loan interest waivers. Tejashwi accused the NDA of being a “copycat government,” claiming they replicated old welfare promises without addressing inflation or unemployment.
However, the NDA’s recent disbursements under the ₹10,000 scheme have drawn controversy. RJD MP Manoj Jha lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC), alleging violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). He claimed that payments were made on October 17, 24, and 31, 2025, even after the election schedule was announced on October 6, and that another installment is due on November 7, between the two voting phases.
Jha argued that these transactions “undermine the constitutional mandate for free and fair elections.” Echoing this, Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj Party, condemned the cash transfers as “bribery,” saying, “You looted people for five years, and now, on the eve of elections, you distribute ₹10,000 of their own money to buy votes.”
Political analysts note that the fierce focus on women reflects their growing electoral importance. Since the 2010 Assembly elections, women have consistently recorded higher turnout than men — 59.7% compared to 54.7% in 2020. This demographic has often cut across caste lines, emerging as a decisive voter bloc.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has long cultivated this base through social welfare and empowerment schemes, including 50% reservation for women in local bodies (since 2006) and the popular free bicycle program for schoolgirls. Political analyst Manisha Priyam noted that Nitish “retains women’s respect” for these initiatives, but warned that rising inflation and unemployment could erode that support.
In the closely fought 2020 elections, women voters were credited for tipping the balance in NDA’s favor, with about 40% of young female voters (aged 18–29) supporting the alliance. This time, however, Tejashwi Yadav’s threefold cash promise could reshape Bihar’s political battleground — one female voter at a time.
