OPINION | Bihar Votes: Women voters likely to stick to the tried and tested Nitish Kumar's promises

This would be a one-time payment for the whole year. As per the manifesto, the Mai Bahin Maan Yojana proposes Rs 2,500 for every eligible woman every month.

A vote bank created by Nitish Kumar

As top leaders of every party criss-cross the length and breadth of Bihar, pundits are busy trying to gauge the mood of the woman voter, a vote bank which wasn’t even one before Nitish Kumar took over the reins of government.

From his first term when his Mukhyamantri Cycle Yojana was hailed as the vehicle of transformation and images of groups of girl students riding to schools were splashed in national media, women have come a long way in rural and urban Bihar.

JEEViKA has given women from low-income groups an opportunity to earn money from the simple, local skills that they learnt at home traditionally but could not monetise. But more importantly, it has brought a transformation in their personalities by making them aware, assertive and instilling a confidence not visible among rural women earlier.

Giving women a stake in political power structures

But women need more than just basic income. They also need a greater say in the affairs of governance and the system. To fulfil that gap Nitish Kumar gave 50% reservation in Panchayats followed by 35% reservation for women in government jobs.

Recently a new clause has been added to the latter by making domicile mandatory as complaints of women from neighbouring states securing many jobs were raised in the media. In a state where women were invisible on the streets after sundown, women constables regulating the traffic even in mofussil towns and running thanas at night is now a common sight.

In 2025, early beneficiaries are now young mothers

Girls who were saved from dropping out because of the cycles in NDA’s first term are now young mothers. They are into JEEViKA or engaged in jobs. Many of them told this writer that they want even more for their daughters and none of it is possible without safety.

They realise that all the facilities and sops would mean nothing if goondagardi is back. Some even point out that things had started deteriorating during the 17-month period when Nitish Kumar quit the NDA and formed a government with RJD.

The most recent talking point among women is the Rs 10,000 incentive sent to their bank accounts (also through JEEViKA) for starting some ‘business’. As critics point out this is too small an amount for business, but it has come in handy as an ‘add-on’.

This writer met two women in Barh constituency who sell diyas and other clay made items for various festivals. They informed that they spent the money in arranging a good roof for their work stall. Another woman who sells tea along the highway in Bhagalpur said she bought benches for her customers to sit.

Nitish’s credible track record provides his side a political moat

More interesting is the case of those who haven’t received the ten thousand amount yet. Take the case of Sunita Devi and Baby Devi in Phulwarisharif. While Sunita received her instalment a few days before Diwali, Baby is still awaiting as she was late in completing the formalities.

When asked if she would vote for Nitish Kuimar, she said yes because she was certain that if her details were correct, nobody could stop it. Meanwhile Punia, who was once part of JEEViKA has now withdrawn due to old age but said if anybody can ensure proper delivery it is this government. This element of trust is visible all across the state even if some women have not received what they were entitled to.

Punia’s neighbour Minti Devi’s is a classic case. Her son lives in Nashik. Her daughter-in-law is enrolled in JEEViKA and does paint work on bedsheets, cushion covers etc. ‘She is always rushing to some meeting’, says Minti jovially, not angrily.

Minti is happy that they are not totally dependent on her son’s remittance anymore though she would like him to find some work closer home. Her medicines are available for free in the local dispensary, she says and the newly raised old age pension of Rs 2,100/month helps her with personal expenses as well as to buy something for her grandchild once in a while.

‘A bird in hand is worth two in the bush’

Talking to women in semi-urban and rural areas reveals an interesting sub-text. Along with the element of trust the ‘a bird in hand worth two in the bush’ syndrome is another potent factor. For women in Bihar, Nitish is ‘tried and tested’ while the track record of the RJD does not inspire confidence. Clearly, they do not want to risk losing what is in hand for something that is, as yet, just a promise.

Post-SIR, there are 3.5 crore women voters in Bihar. Of late, they have been outnumbering the menfolk in voting because many of the men are in other states for work. Though they are spoilt for choice right now they are less likely to vote just for certain sums of money. The concern for a safer environment with more opportunities for their children will also decide which button they will press.

Smita Mishra is Advisor, Prasar Bharati. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication