Beyond caste: Jobs, women recast Bihar's poll battle

New Delhi: Even as the traditional caste-based vote mobilisation continues to remain a political truth in Bihar, the emergence of women empowerment, and unemployment as potential issues in the 2025 assembly polls has forced the ruling NDA and the opposition Mahagathbandhan to not rely entirely on caste-based voter support.

However, both NDA and Mahagathbandhan have tried their best to safeguard their caste interests in the selection of candidates for different assembly seats.

The campaign strategies worked out by both the political rivals in a caste-ridden state like Bihar show their special interest to woo women and youth in public meetings held by the top leaders of both the camps.


"Kaise Milega Sarkari Naukari. Kaun Dega?" (How you will get government jobs? Who will give you this) Tejashwi asked voters at a rally in Taraiya in Saran region recently. "Tejashwi Dega," voters shouted in response. This reflected Mahagathbandhan's new strategy to mobilise youths by promising them jobs.

The Mahagathbandhan, which has projected Tejashwi as its CM face, pledges to pass a law ensuring one government job for at least one member of every family in the state.

At his public meetings, chief minister Nitish Kumar, who is largely credited for cultivating a strong women vote bank with the help of women-centric welfare schemes, never misses to remind voters about several decisions taken by him to empower women during his two-decade rule in the state.

"We have taken historical steps such as giving 50% reservation to women in Panchayat Raj in 2006, 35% reservation to women in police department jobs in 2013, and 35% reservation to women in all government services," Nitish highlighted.

Nitish government's latest decision to launch and implement 'Mahila Rojgar Yojana', in which the state government has given Rs 10,000 as the first instalment of financial assistance to one woman from each family, has a wider impact on the election campaign strategies of both the NDA and Mahagathbandhan.

While the NDA leaders continue to credit Nitish Kumar for empowering the women in the state, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav is giving special focus on his pro-woman poll-promises such as Mai-Behin Maan Scheme in his election speeches. Under this scheme, Tejashwi promises that women will receive Rs 2,500 per month (amounting to Rs 30,000 per year) starting from December 1 if Mahagathbandhan assumes power in the state. He has also promised to give permanent government job status to 'Jeevika Didis'.