Tejashwi's bid to woo women irks NDA parties

PATNA: National Democratic Alliance (NDA) parties in Bihar have attacked leader of opposition and former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav for his announcement to provide ₹2,500 to support economically weaker women in the state under the 'Maai Behan Maan Yojana', if his government is formed after 2025 assembly polls.

- Vijay Swaroop [e-mail]

The NDA leaders called it a 'jumla' and reminded the RJD leader to recall work done by his parents during the 15 years of RJD rule.

Tejashwi had earlier announced to provide 200 units of free electricity and increase old age pension, widow pension and disability pension in Bihar for beneficiaries from Rs 400 to Rs 1,500 per month, if his party led government came to power in 2025.

Yadav's announcement ahead of chief minister's proposed Mahila Samvad programme and with an aim to woo women voters, has irked NDA parties as the women have stood behind Nitish Kumar in every polls. Women voters form nearly 48% of Bihar's total voting population of 76433329 (Voting population during Lok Sabha polls 2024).

"Tejashwi's parents ruled Bihar for 15 years. What schemes did they bring back then? There were no roads, electricity, or law and order during their regime. They turned Bihar into a nightmare, and the people will not forget that. Everybody knows what Nitish Kumar has done for women," said union minister and JD (U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh. "They pushed Bihar to a crossroad when people were ashamed to call themselves Bihari. Tejashwi should speak on these things as well," he added.

Another union minister and LJP (RV) president, Chirag Paswan alleged that he was copying NDA schemes. "Different states having NDA government are already running schemes for mothers and sisters. People of Bihar understands all these jumlas. He should also speak about his father and mother rule," said Paswan. "The people of Bihar have seen the 15 years of Lalu Prasad Yadav's governance. He has looted the state. He is also accused of the Rs 950 crore fodder scam," said Bihar's deputy CM Samrat Choudhary.