BJP vs Congress: Battle for Women Voters in Bihar Elections with Competing Women Empowerment Schemes

Both leaders were addressing women voters in Bihar.

Patna:

With assembly elections in Bihar approaching, a strong political competition has developed between the BJP and the Congress for women voters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra presented competing visions for women's empowerment in the state on Friday.

PM Modi connected with women in Bihar through a video conference from Delhi, officially launching the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana. Under this program, 75 lakh women across Bihar received Rs 10,000 each through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to their bank accounts. The Prime Minister characterized this initiative as a game-changing step for entrepreneurship among rural women.

During his speech, PM Modi explained that the scheme was made possible by the Jan Dhan financial inclusion program introduced 11 years ago. He described the initiative as part of the government's strategy to transform women into "Lakhpati Didis" -- women earning at least Rs 1 lakh annually -- under the central government's campaign to create 3 crore such women nationwide.

PM Modi predicted that Bihar will soon have the highest number of 'Lakhpati Didis' in India, noting that over 2 crore women had already achieved this milestone across the country through various schemes.

The Prime Minister further announced that each beneficiary would eventually qualify for an additional Rs 2 lakh in support, along with entrepreneurial skills training. During the video interaction, women from various parts of Bihar communicated directly with the Prime Minister, sharing how government programs had impacted their lives.

Attack On RJD

PM Modi criticized the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), referencing conditions in Bihar before Nitish Kumar became chief minister. He emphasized that women had suffered significantly under RJD's governance.

"Women of Bihar endured tremendous hardships under RJD rule... There were inadequate roads, law and order was terrible... but now women feel protected and secure under the Nitish Kumar government as the rule of law prevails. Therefore, they must ensure that RJD and its allies never return to power," PM Modi stated.

Priyanka Gandhi's Counter-Attack

In Patna, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attempted to diminish PM Modi's announcement by questioning its timing. Speaking to women's groups, she argued that the promise of Rs 10,000 so close to elections was a clear attempt to secure votes.

"Elections are approaching and we're barely a month away. They announced they will give you Rs 10,000 each. Who has governed for the past 20 years? Why didn't they provide Rs 10,000 for the last 20 years? They didn't tell you that you would receive this amount monthly. They didn't tell you this amount will become your worth," she said.

Ms Gandhi announced a Congress campaign promise of granting land ownership to women. She stated that every landless family in Bihar would receive 3 to 5 decimals of land, with ownership titles registered in women's names. The announcement was met with applause from the women gathered at the event.

This was Ms Gandhi's first public rally in Bihar. She arrived in Patna to an enthusiastic welcome from party workers before proceeding to Sadaqat Ashram, the state Congress headquarters, for a women's interaction program titled Mahila Samvad. Later, she was scheduled to address a rally in Motihari, approximately 120 kilometers from the state capital.