Nitish Kumar’s Rally in Bihar: A Sea of Women Supporters
In Begusarai’s Matihani block, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took the stage before a crowd dominated by women. Many of them were Jeevika didis — members of women’s self-help groups who’ve long been the backbone of his social welfare politics. As chants of “Nitishji zindabad” echoed across the ground, it became clear that these weren’t just attendees — they were his most loyal voters Will Women Voters Crown Nitish Kumar.
Across northern India, such scenes are rare. Yet in Bihar, this has become Nitish Kumar’s political hallmark. The turnout contrasts sharply with a rally just a day earlier in Katihar, where Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav addressed a joint crowd that saw few women and even fewer who stayed until the end.
Will Women Voters Crown Nitish Kumar Again in Bihar Election 2025?
The question looms large as Bihar heads into another high-stakes election. Women — who make up nearly half of the electorate — have been the silent force behind Nitish’s two-decade rule. But this time, the competition is fierce, and the “Mai Bahin Yojana” by the opposition has added a fresh twist to the political chessboard.
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In the 2020 Bihar Assembly election, the NDA’s narrow victory of 12,000 votes was widely credited to women voters. According to CSDS surveys, men leaned toward the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), while a majority of women supported the NDA. With 3.6 crore women on the rolls today, Nitish’s political fate could once again depend on their choice.
Nitish Kumar’s Women-Centric Politics: From Jeevika to Employment Grants
Since 2005, Nitish Kumar’s politics has revolved around women empowerment — not just as a slogan but as a strategy. He introduced 50% reservation for women in panchayats and 35% in the police force, turning Bihar into the Indian state with the highest proportion of women officers. For many women, these policies brought both safety and dignity.
This year, the government credited 1.21 crore women with ₹10,000 each under the Chief Minister Employment Scheme, promising an additional ₹2 lakh if jobs were created. Nitish framed it as empowerment; the opposition called it vote-buying. Tejashwi Yadav claimed Nitish’s scheme copied his own Mai Bahin Yojana, which promises ₹2,500 monthly to women.
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Women Speak: Safety, Inflation, and Hope
At Nitish’s rallies, women speak candidly about both gratitude and frustration. “We’ll vote for Nitishji because he gave women freedom and safety,” said Sunita Devi, a small business owner from Motihari. “Earlier, we couldn’t go out after sunset. Now, we can travel safely.”
Yet, inflation looms large. “Gold prices have crossed ₹1.3 lakh for 10 grams. How can the poor buy it?” asked Rekha Kumari from Rachaiya village. “Nitishji should reduce prices. Still, we’ll support him — because he listens.”
These testimonies show a blend of loyalty and economic concern — a combination that could make this election one of Bihar’s most unpredictable in decades.
Economic Challenges and the Rural Reality
A caste-based economic survey earlier this year found that 94 lakh families in Bihar earn below ₹6,000 per month. For these households, Nitish’s ₹10,000 grant is a big deal — even if used for school fees, clothes, or debt repayment. “We’ll use this money to educate our children,” said Dayawati Devi, who runs a tea stall in Motihari.
However, CPI(ML) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya argues that such short-term handouts won’t solve deeper problems. “Most of this money goes toward paying microfinance loans,” he told reporters. “It’s not employment — it’s survival.”
Analysts Say Women Still Hold the Balance
Political analysts believe women remain Nitish’s strongest constituency — but the opposition has learned from his playbook. “The NDA won last time because women turned out in record numbers,” says Santosh Singh, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express. “If women shift even slightly, it could flip dozens of seats.”
Experts also point out that Nitish’s brand of governance — “Sushasan” — is increasingly challenged by economic stagnation, youth unemployment, and rising costs. While women continue to admire his welfare policies, younger voters, including first-time female voters, may seek change.
The Symbolism of Nitish Kumar’s Legacy
In many ways, Nitish Kumar’s relationship with Bihar’s women mirrors his broader political journey — built on trust, consistency, and social reform. His liquor ban policy, though controversial, was also pitched as protecting women from domestic abuse. Critics say it created black markets, but many women continue to support it.
Contributing Editor Neerja Chowdhury notes that the rise of women in Bihar’s police has changed social dynamics. “Earlier, girls feared stepping out; now, they enforce the law,” she said in News Tak’s Saptahik Sabha show. “That’s not a small achievement.”
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Opposition Counterattack: “Mai Bahin Yojana” and Cash Politics
Meanwhile, Tejashwi Yadav and the Mahagathbandhan are trying to erode Nitish’s women base. Their “Mai Bahin Yojana” — ₹2,500 per month for every woman — is the most direct challenge to Nitish’s cash-based schemes. Yadav has accused the JD(U)-BJP alliance of “copy-pasting” his manifesto and using government funds for election optics.
In response, Nitish’s ministers insist that his policies are results of long-term planning, not short-term politics. “Our record speaks for itself — 20 years of women empowerment can’t be erased by one promise,” said a JD(U) spokesperson in Patna.
Nitish Kumar’s Two-Decade Reign and the 2025 Test
Nitish Kumar has ruled Bihar for nearly 20 years, surviving alliance swaps, political storms, and leadership challenges. Since 2005, every winning coalition has included him — whether with the BJP or RJD. Political observers compare him to Bhishma Pitamah from the Mahabharata: he seems to choose when to rule, not if.
But in 2025, that control may finally be tested. Will the same women who once crowned him king now decide it’s time for change? Or will their trust — built through welfare, safety, and empowerment — once again make Nitish Kumar the face of Bihar’s stability?
Conclusion: The Final Verdict Lies with Women
As Bihar prepares for polling, one truth is clear: the women of Bihar hold the key to its future. From panchayats to police stations, from kitchens to classrooms, their voices have reshaped the state’s politics. Whether Nitish Kumar retains power or not, his legacy will always be defined by the women who transformed from voters into changemakers.
Will women voters crown Nitish Kumar again in Bihar? The answer will not only determine one man’s future but also the story of empowerment in India’s heartland.
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By The News Update | Updated: November 4, 2025
