Women voters have emerged as Bihar's most decisive bloc, with both alliances promising welfare, credit, and autonomy to secure their support, ahead of the two-phase Bihar election on November 6 and 11.
Days after the NDA announced poll sops for women ahead of the Bihar elections, RJD leader and Mahagathbandhan's CM face Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday promised a one-time financial aid of Rs 30,000 for women in the state, if voted to power. He made the announcement at a press conference as campaigning for the first phase of the Bihar assembly polls entered the final stretch on Tuesday.
"After we form the government, on Makar Sankranti (January 14) we will deposit Rs 30,000 for an entire year into the accounts of women under the 'Mai Bahin Maan Yojana'," he said. "I have been to many places and interacted with women. All the mothers and sisters in Bihar are excited about the 'Mai Bahin Maan Yojana'. People say that this scheme will provide them with economic justice."
The Mai Bahin Maan Yojana was guaranteed by the RJD and Congress in their joint poll manifesto. It aims to provide Rs 2,500 per month to women from backward communities if the Grand Alliance wins the high-stakes Bihar election.
The announcement of a one-time deposit less just two months after the elections conclude is seen as a counter to the NDA’s 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana', under which Rs 10,000 was already transferred into the accounts of over 1 crore women to start their own businesses. The scheme is basically meant to create employment opportunities in the state especially for rural women which, in turn, would ensure their economic empowerment.
It has also promised the creation of one crore Lakhpati Didis. It has also been claimed that many Lakhpati Didis will, in the next five years, get a chance to become crorepati Didis. The Mahagathbandhai manifesto or “Tejashwi’s Pran” also promised that a women’s college will be established in every sub-division and new degree college in 136 blocks that currently lack one.
It also promised to make all Jeevika community mobilisers permanent government employees with a monthly salary of Rs 30,000, waive the interest on their existing loans, and offer them interest-free loans for two years.
Why women matter
At 3.5 crore or 47 per cent of the state’s electorate, women are a formidable constituency with the potential to swing the election. Out of every 100 voters, 53 are men and 47 are women. However, women have consistently recorded a higher voter turnout in the last few assembly elections in the state.
In 2020, women's turnout stood at 60 per cent, compared to 54 per cent for men. Meanwhile, in 2015, 60.48% of female voters exercised their franchise compared to 53.32% among men. In 2010, 54.49 % women cast their vote.
Over the last two decades, Nitish Kumar has carefully built his connection with women voters and enjoyed their support. His speeches also often highlight his regime’s 50% reservation for women in panchayats and urban local bodies, and 35% in the police force and various other welfare schemes such as bicycle for girls.
In 2020, according to Election Commission data, women outvoted men in 167 out of 243. It is believed women's votes helped Nitish Kumar return to power, even as Tejashwi Yadav fell just short of a majority.
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