“The poll outcome differed from our expectations, but one must respect the mandate of the people. In Maharashtra and Bihar, schemes like Ladki Bahin and direct transfers of Rs 10,000 to women were rolled out just before the elections, something unprecedented,” Pawar told reporters in Solapur
Sharad Pawar. File Pic
NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Sunday said he plans to discuss the transfer of funds to women under a government scheme in Bihar ahead of the recent elections when he meets opposition leaders during the upcoming Parliament session.
His remarks came days after the NDA secured a landslide victory in Bihar, decisively defeating the Mahagatbandhan bloc, reported news agency PTI.
“The poll outcome differed from our expectations, but one must respect the mandate of the people. In Maharashtra and Bihar, schemes like Ladki Bahin and direct transfers of Rs 10,000 to women were rolled out just before the elections, something unprecedented,” Pawar told reporters in Solapur.
He was referring to the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana in Bihar, which provides money to one woman in each family to start a business.
Pawar noted that while fund distribution during local body elections is not unusual, providing Rs 10,000 directly to women ahead of state polls is new, as per PTI.
“If the deposit of Rs 10,000 influenced the Bihar election results, it is something we need to consider. The Parliament session begins on December 1, and during this period, we will bring key opposition leaders together to discuss a response. At least, that is my plan,” he said, reported PTI.
A day earlier, Pawar had questioned how the Election Commission allowed the distribution of funds during the election process in Bihar.
Bihari identity in Mumbai changing from stigma to pride: Bihar Foundation spokesperson on Bihar elections 2025
Bihar’s famous culinary offering is Litti Chokha, but for a while on Friday, one could be mistaken thinking it is laddoos. Sweets rained down by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), especially Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters. The Bihar Foundation is a diaspora cell of the Bihar government under the department of industries. The foundation’s Mumbai (Maharashtra) chapter is one of 20 across India. In an interview, its spokesperson, Manoj Singh Rajput, speaks to mid-day about polls, transformation, migration, Biharis in Mumbai, and a win for the ages and history pages. Excerpts from an interview:
Dubbing the victory as landslide and sweeping is all very well, but what does the Bihar mandate really tell us?
The win was expected, but these numbers are mind-boggling. This is a: ‘go for women’s security,’ ‘go for law & order,’ ‘go for development’ win.
When you say go for women’s security, there was also Rs 10,000 given monthly to every woman...
That was not a factor. It is improved law and order that brought in the votes. Today, women can walk alone in Patna at 11 pm; this was unthinkable. Girls were also earlier afraid of forced marriages, often facilitated by kidnapping. Today, we see a change in that, too. Just like the women of Madhya Pradesh used to refer to former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan as mamaji, women in Bihar see Nitish Kumarji as part of their family. They have family bonds.
(With PTI inputs)
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