Women voters are emerging as the pivotal force in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, with a recent survey indicating strong support for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) thanks to the transformative Mahila Rozgar Yojana. Conducted by Ascendia Strategies between October 15-22, the poll sampled around 4,000 women across rural (80%) and urban (20%) areas, revealing how welfare initiatives are reshaping electoral dynamics ahead of the November polls.

The flagship Mahila Rozgar Scheme, which provides an initial Rs 10,000 grant via Direct Benefit Transfer to empower women in small businesses, has garnered widespread acclaim. An impressive 85% of respondents are aware of the program, with 94% having applied and 61% successfully receiving the funds. In September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi disbursed the first tranche to 75 lakh beneficiaries, totaling Rs 7,500 crore, with potential follow-up support up to Rs 2 lakh for ventures in agriculture, handicrafts, tailoring, and more. Among recipients, 58% have channeled the money into launching enterprises, underscoring its real-world impact.

Credit for the scheme largely flows to Nitish Kumar, who enjoys 42% approval, compared to 17% for Modi and 22% crediting both leaders. This aligns with broader NDA welfare efforts, such as free foodgrains and widow pensions, which have solidified appeal among female demographics. In voting preferences, the NDA leads with 45% support, edging out the opposition Mahagathbandhan (40%) led by Tejashwi Yadav and Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party (5%). Analysts note that Nitish's focus on women's self-employment could mirror the success of similar initiatives in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

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However, inflation remains a pressing concern, flagged as the top issue by 25% of women, followed by children's education and jobs (21%), infrastructure like roads and utilities (13%), and women's safety (9%). These worries highlight vulnerabilities that the opposition could exploit, even as the NDA touts economic upliftment through schemes like the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana, now expanded to benefit over 1.21 crore women.

As Bihar's polls approach—with voting on November 6 and 11, and results on November 14—the battle for the 'naari' vote intensifies. While NDA's targeted sops give it a slight advantage, persistent economic pressures could tip the scales, making women's turnout—historically higher than men's in 167 of 243 seats—decisive in this high-stakes contest.

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