Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition in Bihar, has announced a new scheme called 'Mai-Behan Maan Yojna' that promises cash transfers to women. The scheme has created a political controversy in the state.
Leaders from the ruling NDA have criticised Tejashwi's announcement, linking it to the 15-years of Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi’s rule, which they say ignored women's issues.
Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said that people of Bihar still remember the previous Lalu-Rabri government and will not make the same mistake in the upcoming elections. He accused Tejashwi of trying to win votes by making promises but said the public sees through his tactics.
Union Minister Chirag Paswan, leader of Lok Janshakti Party (RV), called Tejashwi's move hypocritical, saying that in the past, he focused on the Muslim-Yadav vote and now he is attempting to win over women voters with cash transfers. He criticised the previous Lalu-Rabri rule for not talking about women’s empowerment and claimed that Tejashwi’s promises won’t succeed.
Former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha also questioned the RJD’s efforts in promoting women’s welfare, calling their promises empty and accusing them of failing to make real contributions in the past.
Senior JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh, also known as Lalan Singh, dismissed Tejashwi's announcement as an election stunt. He claimed the NDA would win the 2025 assembly elections, making it impossible for Tejashwi to become Chief Minister.
Tejashwi introduced the 'Mai-Behan Maan Yojna' during a party workers' meeting in Darbhanga on Saturday. He promised that if the RJD-led alliance wins the 2025 elections, Rs 2,500 would be transferred monthly to the bank accounts of economically disadvantaged women to help them with household expenses.
Tejashwi explained that the scheme aims to assist underprivileged women who struggle with rising inflation, making it difficult for them to afford basic needs. He added that the funds would be directly transferred within a month of the grand alliance forming the government. He stressed that the prosperity of Bihar depends on the well-being of women.
Tejashwi also blamed the central NDA government for increasing inflation, which he said has made life harder for women. He argued that his cash transfer scheme would help ease some of their burdens.
Despite the criticism, Tejashwi received support from former Union Minister RCP Singh, who recently launched a new party, Aap Sabki Aawaz.
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