 Summary of this article
- Compared to 370 candidates in the fray in 2020, Bihar had only 255 women contesting in 2025.
- Observers point out that Bihar’s high male outmigration has contributed to women voting in larger numbers, as many men do not return home during elections.
- There are reasons why Nitish earned women’s trust. Soon after taking office in 2005, he introduced 50 per cent reservation for women in panchayats
For years, in his numerous terms as Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar has cultivated a women’s vote bank that cuts across caste and religious lines. This August, on election eve, in a move many dubbed a political masterstroke, he announced a one-time cash handout of Rs 10,000 to one woman in every family to start a business, with the promise of more assistance for those who used it well. |
