November 4, 2025

In Bihar’s heated election battle, a fascinating drama unfolds — a massive wave of women voters rally around Nitish Kumar, while Tejashwi Yadav struggles to catch their attention. Nitish’s rallies, like the one in Sahebpur Kamal in Begusarai, are buzzing with energy and filled with 60% women attendees. But where are the women at Tejashwi’s meetings? They’re few and far between. Women make up a whopping 47% of Bihar’s voters — that’s 3.5 crore out of 7.43 crore voters! And Nitish Kumar has keenly nurtured this crucial crowd. Kamlawati Devi, a proud woman at Nitish’s rally, says, "No woman in Bihar can deny the empowerment done by Nitish Kumar. Women like me have become independent and an income provider to the family." What’s Nitish’s secret sauce? One big ingredient is the 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana' introduced in September. This scheme gifts ₹10,000 to every woman who wants to start a business. So far, 1.41 crore women have received this money! Plus, if their business booms, the government promises another ₹2 lakh. Most of this money flows to 1.5 crore Jeevika Didis tied to self-help groups. Urmila Devi, a community mobiliser in Patna, beams, "The money may look small, but it has come at festival time and is a big help." Tea stall owner Radha Devi trusts Nitish too, "The money will come. Even if it doesn't, my vote will go to him. The government helped me start this tea stall." But the scene isn’t all sunshine and roses. Devlal Yadav from Narahiya says he’ll vote for RJD as a Yadav. His wife Damyanti received ₹10,000 but says, "I will vote where my husband will vote." RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav has launched his own ₹2,500 monthly aid under Mai Bahin, yet only a few women are swayed. One woman, Rani Kumai, says, "We will go with the one who has helped us." Another victory for Nitish is the quota and job boost for women. Take 21-year-old Ritu Kushwaha from Patna, up early training for Bihar Police. "The domicile policy and 35% women reservation increase our chances," she shares. Bihar increased women’s job quota from 30% to 35% in 2023, providing nearly one million government jobs in five years, with 40% going to women. Women appreciate better law and order but want more progress. Teacher Anuradha Kumari complains, "If you are employing more women in government jobs, you should provide a safe environment." Clearly, the NDA, led by Nitish Kumar, holds a strong bond with Bihar’s women. Tejashwi and RJD are racing to catch their share of the "Aadhi Aabadi" women vote bank. The battle for Bihar’s heart and vote is sizzling, and the women’s wave might just decide the fate!

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Tags: Nitish kumar, Bihar Polls, Women voters, Cash Transfer, Job Quota, Tejashwi yadav,