Bihar elections: JDU defends turf as rivals too push welfare politics

New Delhi: Caste and social justice have long dominated Bihar polls, however, cash promises are in play now.

On June 21, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced that all elderly, disabled, and widowed beneficiaries will receive a monthly pension of ₹1,100, up from ₹400. According to the state government, 1.10 cr people will benefit from the hike.

Soon after, political rivals rushed to outdo the move. Jan Suraj leader Prashant Kishor promised to raise the pension to ₹2,000 if voted to power, while RJD's Tejashwi Yadav claimed his party had already proposed ₹1,500 and accused the government of acting under pressure

Nitish Kumar also announced a doubling of the honorarium for 1.4 lakh workers under his flagship Jeevika project, which connects with 1.4 crore Jeevika Didis across Bihar. Additionally, self-help groups taking bank loans above ₹3 lakh will now pay 7% interest instead of the earlier 10%, with the state government covering the difference. The move reinforces Kumar's focus on welfare schemes for women - a core segment of his support base.

The Opposition RJD and Congress earlier announced to launch the Mai-Bahin Scheme, to provide ₹2,500 per month to the Bihar women on the lines of schemes in other states.

In recent elections, political parties across states have increasingly relied on cash schemes for women, with many implementing payouts after securing victory. In neighbouring Jharkhand, the Maiyan Samman scheme-offering ₹2,500 per month to women-was seen as a key factor in the Hemant Soren-led INDIA bloc's win.

Given Kumar's track record, the Bihar government is likely to announce a cash scheme for women ahead of the elections.