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Patna, November 4 : In a dramatic finale to Bihar’s election campaign, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has announced a sweeping welfare package aimed at two key voter groups — women and farmers. Party leader Tejashwi Yadav unveiled a series of financial incentives under what he called a “mission to empower households and revive rural prosperity,” just two days before the first phase of polling on November 6.Under the new proposal, titled the “Mai Bahin Maan Yojana,” all eligible women in Bihar will receive a one-time financial aid of ₹30,000. According to the RJD, disbursement will begin on Makar Sankranti (January 14) if the party is voted to power. The move, Tejashwi said, is aimed at ensuring financial independence and dignity for women, particularly in rural and low-income families.For the state’s farmers, Yadav announced a bonus of ₹300 per quintal on paddy and ₹400 per quintal on wheat over and above the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The RJD also pledged to recognise Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and Vyapar Mandal heads as “people’s representatives,” granting them greater administrative standing in local governance.“These are not promises — they are responsibilities we owe to the people who feed the nation and hold families together,” Tejashwi told reporters in Patna on Monday evening. “Our goal is simple — dignity for women, prosperity for farmers, and accountability from those in power.”The party’s manifesto further reiterates commitments to free electricity for agricultural use, employment generation, and revival of cooperative institutions to strengthen Bihar’s agrarian economy.Political Timing and ReactionsThe announcement comes at a crucial juncture — just before the silence period begins for Phase 1 polling. Political observers view it as a calculated move to energise the RJD’s core voter base, especially rural women and small farmers, who together represent over half of Bihar’s electorate.Critics from the ruling JD(U)-BJP alliance have dismissed the move as “election-time theatrics,” questioning the fiscal viability of such large-scale payouts. Senior BJP leader Sanjay Jaiswal remarked, “Tejashwi’s welfare math doesn’t match Bihar’s financial realities. It’s a classic case of populism without a roadmap.”However, economists note that welfare-linked voter appeal remains a potent factor in Bihar’s political culture. The RJD’s announcements may resonate strongly in districts where unemployment and agrarian distress have been pressing concerns.Looking AheadThe first phase of polling will be held on November 6, followed by two more rounds, with results due on November 14. Whether the RJD’s last-minute welfare pitch translates into electoral momentum remains to be seen, but it has undeniably shifted the tone of Bihar’s political debate toward immediate economic relief and social inclusion.
