Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) Chief Sharad Pawar has alleged that the ruling NDA’s victory in the Bihar Assembly election was significantly influenced by a large-scale cash transfer scheme launched ahead of polling. He claimed that Rs 10,000 was credited to the accounts of women voters shortly before voting, which may have swayed the election outcome in the BJP-led coalition’s favour.

Speaking to reporters in Baramati, Pawar said that women voters played a decisive role this time, attributing the surge in female turnout to the cash incentive. “Women had taken the election into their own hands. All of them received Rs 10,000 each in their accounts, and that seems to have had a direct impact on the result,” he said. The NCP (SP) leader warned that such pre-election payouts could undermine public trust in free and fair democratic processes.

Drawing comparisons to Maharashtra’s Ladki Bahin scheme, where Rs 1,500 was credited to women before the model code of conduct came into effect, Pawar called the trend deeply concerning. “If those in power start entering elections after distributing money in such a manner, it will shake people’s faith in elections. Rs 10,000 is not a small amount. The Election Commission and experts must examine this issue,” he said. Pawar added that transparency in the electoral process was at risk if governments used welfare funds for electoral advantage.

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Responding to the claim, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissed Pawar’s remarks as “political frustration.” He said, “In an election, the one who wins is the real Sikandar. After defeat, one should accept the result and introspect, but our Opposition prefers to find excuses instead.” Fadnavis added that welfare schemes introduced by the government were legitimate, transparent, and well-received by the public. “The people supported us because they believed in our work,” he said.

The BJP’s strong performance in Bihar reaffirmed its dominance in key states, with critics alleging that cash-based benefit schemes played a role in the outcome. However, BJP leaders maintain that the results represent a clear endorsement of the government’s policies and pro-people governance model. Pawar, meanwhile, urged the Election Commission to ensure stricter scrutiny of such financial measures before future polls.

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