In Begusarai district, once called the 'Leningrad of Bihar' for its Left influence, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's political strategy centers on women voters. At a rally in the Matihani Assembly constituency, scores of women from self-help groups gathered to hear him speak. Many had received Rs 10,000 under the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, a scheme offering financial aid to one eligible woman per family to start income-generating activities. Recipients used the money for Diwali celebrations, Chhath Puja expenses, or repaying microfinance loans. The constituency witnesses a contest between sitting MLA Rajkumar Singh of JD(U) and three-time MLA Narendra Kumar Singh (Bogo Singh) of RJD, both from the Bhumihar community. Jan Suraaj candidate Dr Arun Singh, a former medical institute director, adds a third dimension to the race. Nitish Kumar, who began campaigning from Samastipur on October 16, has addressed over two dozen public meetings, more than any other leader. His 39-minute speech emphasized law and order improvements, job creation promises totaling one crore positions, and welfare measures for women. While women voters largely support him, many young people express dissatisfaction over unemployment despite his two-decade rule. The contest may ultimately depend on caste equations among Bhumihar voters.
Women Voters Rally Behind Nitish Kumar's Welfare Schemes
At the Matihani rally venue, women constituted nearly two-thirds of the audience. Most belonged to 'Jeevikas' or self-help groups and spoke positively about the Dashazari Yojana. Several confirmed receiving the Rs 10,000 financial aid, which they spent on Diwali clothes, crackers for children, fruits for Chhath Puja, or repaying microfinance loans. Those who had not yet received the amount expressed confidence they would get it soon. When Nitish Kumar's helicopter landed, crowds surged toward the helipad shouting slogans, with women lifting children on their shoulders for a glimpse of the Chief Minister. Despite some not receiving the money yet, women voters insisted they would still support Nitish. As Sukhiya Devi, a local woman, remarked that whatever development happened was due to Nitish, while his rival Lalu did hardly anything for the region.
Nitish Kumar's Long-Term Focus on Women Empowerment
Since assuming power in October 2005, Kumar has systematically cultivated women's support through targeted policies. Bihar became the first state to reserve 50% of rural and urban local body seats for women in 2006. The same year introduced free bicycles for schoolgirls through the Mukhyamantri Balika Cycle Yojana. In 2016, he expanded 35% reservation for women to all state government jobs. The Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana, launched in 2018, provides financial assistance to girl students until graduation. Even the 2016 prohibition was framed as a women's welfare decision. Data from 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections shows Bihar had the highest number of constituencies where women's turnout exceeded men's, with 10 constituencies in 2014 and 18 in 2019, demonstrating the growing importance of female voters in the state's political landscape.
Caste Dynamics and Youth Discontent in Matihani Contest
The Matihani seat features three Bhumihar candidates: sitting MLA Rajkumar Singh (JD-U), who switched from Lok Janshakti Party; Bogo Singh (RJD), a three-time MLA who previously represented JD(U) in 2020; and Dr Arun Singh of Jan Suraaj. Villager Surendra Prasad Rai noted Rajkumar Singh's advantage from his father Kamdev Singh's legacy as an influential strongman in the 1970s, suggesting he may win because of Modi and Nitish's appeal. However, youth voters expressed strong dissatisfaction over unemployment despite Nitish's 20-year rule. One young voter criticized the police action against students protesting outside the Bihar Public Service Commission and called the Rs 10,000 scheme an election bribe. The NDA manifesto promises creating one crore jobs in five years and filling over 77,000 teaching vacancies, countering rival Tejashwi Yadav's job promises.
Source: Link