The recently concluded Bihar assembly election has drawn attention for its striking gender pattern. Female voter turnout reached 71.77 per cent, the highest recorded since 1951 and nearly 10 percentage points higher than the turnout of male voters. In seven of the state’s 38 districts, women cast 14 per cent more votes than men. Women voters outnumbered men in at least 130 of the 243 constituencies. Compared to the 2020 election, Bihar recorded 4.4 million additional women voters, according to Election Commission data.
Analysts say this surge played a key role in the National Democratic Alliance’s sweeping victory. The NDA won 114 of the 130 constituencies where women voters exceeded male voters. Political observers believe Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s focus on women oriented programmes significantly influenced voting patterns and strengthened support for the government.
The Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana emerged as the most decisive factor. Announced shortly before the polls, the scheme provides direct financial assistance of up to Rs 2.10 lakh to aspiring women entrepreneurs. Ahead of the election, the government transferred Rs 10,000 in seed money to the accounts of 15.1 million women, representing around 42 per cent of all women voters in the state.
The scheme promises support to one woman in every family, with minimal eligibility requirements. The applicant and her husband must not be income tax payers, ensuring that the benefit reaches socio economically weaker households. Bihar remains India’s poorest state with a per capita annual GSDP of Rs 66,828. Women are disproportionately disadvantaged, earning nearly 40 per cent less per capita GSDP than men. For many, the Rs 10,000 transfer is a significant incentive, especially with the prospect of future installments.
Activists describe the programme as the most attractive pre poll offer made to women in Bihar. Some call it a game changer that reshaped the electoral landscape.