New Delhi/Patna: When Nitish appeared vulnerable, Didis rallied around.That women voters in Bihar are partial to Nitish Kumar-led NDA govt for its pro-women policies since 2005 is well known. What acted as a turbo-boost this time was the cash transfer of Rs 10,000 to over 1.5 crore women in poll season. As if Rakhi after Diwali, the ‘das-hazariya’ beneficiaries and Jeevika Didis turned out to be the catalyst in NDA’s massive win. Women whose lives have changed on the back of government policies are in substantial numbers – and they cut across caste lines.Some 71.6% women, nearly 9 percentage points more than men (62.8%), turned up to vote this time – up from 59.7% in 2020. It was seen as an endorsement of NDA government and a ‘no’ to MGB’s return bid. An entire generation of women has benefitted from welfare programs of the JDU-BJP govt, starting with the free cycle scheme for schoolgoing girls in its first term (2005-10). The sight of smiling girls cycling to school was the defining picture of Nitish’s win in 2010, when the RJD-led opposition’s decimation was as total as it is now.Even prohibition, with its flaws, draws strong support from women, especially the poor. Journalists traveling through Bihar often came across the contrasting picture of men trashing the govt for its “ineffective” ban on liquor and their wives praising its benefits despite issues with implementation.Then there have been pioneering policies like 35% reservation for women in govt jobs and 50% in local bodies. Jeevika Didis, women members registered with more than 11 lakh self-help groups, also emerged as loyal supporters of Nitish govt. When TOI sought to gauge the mood of Jeevika Didis and other women across the state, a majority of them had expressed support for Nitish and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Also, the relative safety under NDA government has its share of admirers among women. Hooliganism was part of citizens’ everyday experience under RJD govt ftom 1990 and 2005, and kept women in an almost permanent state of apprehension.The Nitish administration earned credit for making Bihar a safer place. Crime does occur, but not many citizens believe that the government is deliberately soft on criminals – a charge that has stuck with the RJD so strongly that it cannot shake it off despite two decades out of office. Add to these the welfare schemes of Modi govt, especially free ration that ensures women running the kitchen of poor households don’t have to worry about their families getting two meals a day. Despite his recent goof-ups in public, Nitish continues to be seen as an avuncular figure who cares for women. And women repay in faith.
