Patna: Assembly elections in Bihar are due in three-four months’ time, and the heat is on.
The fight for the throne is going to be intense, with the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government set to be tested by the RJD-Congress alliance and brand new contenders Jan Suraaj Party.
In a novel election strategy, Congress has launched a women-centric initiative which aims to woo voters by raising menstrual hygiene awareness.
Inspired by Akshay Kumar’s ‘Padman’, Congress party workers will be distributing sanitary pad boxes with a picture of Rahul Gandhi to over 5 lakh women in Bihar.
The Priyadarshini Udaan Yojana, as it has been named, supplements the grand old party’s Mai Bahin Maan Yojana, which promises a Rs 2,500 dole per month to women from deprived families.
Congress’ unique move has triggered a controversy, with the BJP objecting to Rahul’s picture on the sanitary pad box as it “insults” women of Bihar.
“An insult of women of Bihar with Rahul Gandhi’s picture on sanitary pad! Congress is an Anti-Women party! Women of Bihar will teach the Congress and RJD a lesson,” BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari posted on X.
It remains to be seen if the BJP and JD(U) come up with a strategy to counter the sanitary pads distribution.
As of now, Nitish’s government has announced a ‘Mahila Samvad’ programme — a village-to-village outreach campaign to connect with 2 crore women.
All parties seem to believe women will have a big say in the Bihar polls.
