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Besides the conventional determinants of caste, organisational and leadership, a key variable that may prove to be decisive in the outcome of Bihar Assembly Elections is the ongoing disbursement of ₹10,000 to women under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana. The scheme promises ₹2 lakh for every woman to help set up her own business in fields ranging from agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, tailoring to weaving and small sector enterprises. Presently, the initial transfer of ₹10,000 is being made to every woman who, along with her husband, is not an income tax payee or government employee. The government has so far distributed six instalments till November 1 — just days ahead of the first phase of polling on November 6 — to about 1.5 crore women. The seventh instalment is expected on November 7, four days ahead of the final phase of polling on November 11. Quite like the direct cash transfer schemes like Ladli Behena in Madhya Pradesh and Ladki Bahin Yojna in Maharashtra — which helped the BJP retain power in the two States — the Bihar government is banking on the Mahila Rojgar Yojna, where the amount involved is substantially higher than the schemes in MP and Maharashtra. On the ground, women are responding with enthusiasm, even those who have not yet received the amount. According to Dulari Devi in Pipra, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar can be trusted with delivery. “He has always done things for us. He banned liquor. He will give us the money,” she said. Raghav Pathak, who has a small landholding in Pipra, said there is no alternative to Nitish. “Look at our roads now. He gave bicycles to our girls to go to school. No one has done so much for Bihar,” he said. There is recall, especially among women, for Nitish Kumar’s work towards improving law and order. He has also launched multiple development initiatives such as the popular Mukhyamantri Balika Cycle Yojana to promote girls’ education, reservation for women in panchayat and local bodies and government jobs et al. The rival coalition concedes that ₹10,000 cash transfer is a big plus in the ruling NDA’s favour. “Without the cash transfer, they would have lost the election,” a top RJD functionary told businessline. The Opposition Mahagathbandhan has termed it a “cash-for-votes” scam. At a rally in Sonbarsa, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi advised women to take the money but vote for the Mahagathbandhan. “I ask you, my sisters here, don’t you know a friend whose husband beats her every day. Then 20 years later, he comes and says ‘I will treat you well, I will build you a palace’. Would you believe him? Of course you won’t. So don’t believe this government. If they’re giving the money, take it. But don’t vote for them,” said Gandhi. But the Mahagathbandhan has been quick to present its own version of the scheme, promising more money to women. “After we win, the first task before us is to give ₹30,000 to women on Makar Sankranti under the Mai Behen Maan Yojna,” said Yadav. Clearly, political import of the direct cash transfers in the middle of the elections is becoming noticeable. More Like This Published on November 4, 2025
