Women’s Vote In Bihar’s Election: Don’t Miss The Irony

It was on the very day that Election Commission announced Bihar’s assembly election dates that Nitish Kumar transferred 2,100cr directly into the bank accounts of 21L women. This was financial assistance of 10,000 each under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, which was launched at Sept end by Modi.

Not to be outwitted, opposition RJD has promised a Mai Bahin Maan Yojana if voted to govt – essentially 2,500 a month to women from financially vulnerable and backward communities.
Both these big-ticket announcements have one focused purpose – to show unwavering commitment towards Bihar’s women. Though rather ironic in a state known to be steeped in caste dynamics and patriarchy, women being pandered to as a standalone, cross-cutting constituency is hardly surprising given both Bihar’s own trajectory in this regard over the last few decades, and India’s political tapestry in recent years.