The vibrant stage for the India Today Conclave is set in Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra. On the opening day of this prestigious event by the India Today Group, discussions centered around the upcoming Bihar Legislative Assembly elections. Renowned experts like Amitabh Tiwari, Managing Partner of Ascendia Strategies and Founder Partner of Votewibe, Yashwant Deshmukh, Founder of CVoter Foundation, and Pradeep Gupta, Chairman of Axis My India, participated in the session titled 'Battle of Bihar: Who's Taking the Lead?'.
How significant is the Bihar government's direct cash benefit scheme for 8 million women voters? Pradeep Gupta remarked on the uncertainty among Bihar's electorate, unsure of their voting inclination. Yashwant Deshmukh highlighted that the impact of direct cash benefits in Bihar stands distinctly separate from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. He noted that Bihar's CM, Nitish Kumar, takes a unique approach unlike Shivraj Singh Chouhan or Eknath Shinde.
Yashwant elaborated on how leaders Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Eknath Shinde offered one-time cash benefits pre-election, whereas Nitish initiated benefits early in his tenure. From providing bicycles to school uniforms to female students, many beneficiaries are now mothers, with numerous engaging in entrepreneurship. Yashwant emphasized the emotional bond these women share with Nitish Kumar.
This idea of connection is echoed in many initiatives. For example, Nitish's prohibition policy garnered overwhelming support, with nine out of ten women endorsing the move. Yashwant reaffirmed their backing through personal and societal benefits.
Amitabh Tiwari pointed out parallels with what happened earlier in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, now playing out in Jharkhand. If Bihar's outcome favors the NDA, this direct cash strategy for women might become a winning formula. It's a subject worthy of in-depth dialogue.
Discussing the female voter dynamic, Amitabh noted how, in the 2020 elections, women voters outnumbered their male counterparts in turnout across 167 Bihar assembly seats, primarily won by the NDA. Such trends could potentially replicate, solidifying a stronghold in northern Bihar.
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