Cash benefits to women voters have been a buzzword in BJP-ruled states, with the ruling party in Haryana promising Rs 2,100 to every woman in October polls, Mahayuti's Ladki Bahin scheme and Shivraj government's 'Ladli Bahan' scheme in Madhya Pradesh. In Jharkhand too, Hemant Soren’s 'Maiya Samman Yojana' ensured a historic win for the state government despite the efforts of the BJP to derail Jharkhand Mukti Morcha from power.Banking on a similar trend, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is part of the ruling NDA alliance in the state, is scheduled to begin his Mahila Samvad Yatra on Sunday (December 15). The yatra, ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections in Bihar, aims to engage with women and understand their perspectives. However, reports on Friday said that the journey has been postponed due to personal reasons and the journey can begin from December 22 or 23.During the yatra, set to begin from Valmikinagar in West Champaran district, CM Nitish will review the progress of the government's 7-Resolves programme and feel the pulse of the people through interaction with women. He will interact with women, Jeevika Didis and review the ongoing schemes run by the JD(U) government in the state, including the 'Jal Jeevan Hariyali' scheme.ALSO READ | BPSC Exam: Tejashwi Slams CM Nitish, Calls Bihar 'Leaderless'; Chirag Paswan Condemns Patna DM Slap IncidentThe opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal has already landed in a controversy after party supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav with vulgar remarks on Nitish's proposed Mahila Samvad Yatra. While responding to a question from journalists about the yatra, Lalu said, “Nayan Sekne Ja Rahe Hai (He is going to ogle at women)." The leaders of both the BJP and JD(U) camp criticised Lalu for the vulgar remark. However, the RJD is quick to counter Nitish Kumar's 'Mahila Samvad Yatra' with 'Mai Bahan Maan Yojana' (MBMY). RJD leader and former Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav announced that if voted to power, his government will give Rs 2,500 per month to the "economically disadvantaged and deprived" women in the state under the MBMY scheme. महिलाओं का आशीर्वाद जहां है, सुख-समृद्धि का वास वहाँ है। इसी मंत्र पर चलते हुए बिहार की हर महिला को हम सक्षम बनाना चाहते हैं। जब महिलाओं को ताकत मिलती है, परिवार और समाज खुद मजबूत हो जाते है।#TejashwiYadav pic.twitter.com/xxUauHa8pM— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) December 15, 2024"If our government is formed in the state, we will start the 'Maai Behan Maan Yojana'... Under the Maai Behan Maan Yojana, we will give Rs 2500 directly to the accounts of our economically weak mothers and sisters. As soon as the government is formed, we will start this scheme within a month," Tejashwi told a gathering in Darbhanga on Saturday.Sharing the details of the scheme on X, Tejashwi said that through this scheme, the party wants to empower every woman in Bihar and added that when women get empowered, "the family and society automatically become stronger."Why Parties Are After 'Women Votebank'?RJD's 'Mai Bahan Maan Yojana' is seen as a counter to Nitish Kumar's Mahila Samvad Yatra to appeal to the women voters in the state. Women voters have often been seen as the 'silent force' behind Nitish Kumar’s two-decade electoral success in Bihar.Nitish, since coming to power in 2005, has launched several schemes for the welfare of girls and women of the state. From free cycle programme for female students to financial assistance to Class 12 girl students, introducing 50 per cent reservation for women in government jobs and banning alcohol, Nitish has used the silent vote bank to woo women voters, a step that has yielded results to the JD(U) win consecutive elections in the state. ALSO READ | Tejashwi Yadav Slams Nitish Kumar's ₹370-Crore Budget For 'Snacks & Publicity'In the 2020 assembly polls, the JD(U) leader unveiled 'Seven Resolves Part 2', besides raising the grant for Class 12 girl students from Rs 12,000 to Rs 25,000 and from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 for graduates.In view of the polls next month, Tejaswi Yadav is trying to compete with Nitish Kumar to break down the crucial vote bank of Nitish Kumar in Bihar.
