Is the NDA Afraid of Women's Empowerment? Priyanka Gandhi's Bold Claims Ahead of Bihar Elections

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Women empowerment is a central theme in the upcoming Bihar elections.
- Cash transfers are being used as a strategy to influence votes.
- Priyanka Gandhi's five-point plan aims to significantly improve the lives of women and landless families.
- Active participation of women workers highlights the need for better representation.
- Political engagement among women is crucial for electoral outcomes.
Patna, Sep 26 (NationPress) Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra made a compelling appeal to the women voters of Bihar, encouraging them to embrace their potential and vote for a transformative change in the forthcoming state Assembly elections.
Speaking to a large assembly of women at the "Shakti Adhikar Mahila Samvad" event held at the Sadakat Ashram in Patna, Priyanka Gandhi claimed that the NDA government is attempting to influence voter decisions through financial incentives.
"You (women) may not fully appreciate your strength, but political parties certainly do. That's why you are being offered Rs 10,000 prior to elections—because they (NDA) realize they cannot secure victory without your backing," stated the Congress General Secretary.
She urged women to contemplate their own lives, saying, "You (women) endure struggles daily, while they (NDA) attempt to win your votes with cash incentives."
Priyanka Gandhi introduced a five-point commitment targeted at women and landless families, promising these measures should the Grand Alliance take control of the state.
She outlined that the Grand Alliance plans to provide a monthly allowance of Rs 2,500 for every woman in Bihar, enhanced honorariums for Jeevika sisters, Anganwadi workers, Asha workers, legal professionals, and others, health insurance coverage of up to Rs 25 lakh for each family modeled after a successful Congress initiative in Rajasthan, free land distribution of three dismils (urban) and five dismils (rural) to landless families, with ownership registered in women's names, and job creation initiatives aimed at minimizing male migration and alleviating the domestic responsibilities placed on women.
Targeting the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar administration, Priyanka Gandhi remarked that women continue to bear the burden of family obligations while men leave for work.
"You (women) carry the weight of both family and society, yet the government fails to take substantial measures to empower you," she remarked.
During the event, women professionals including MNREGA workers, Jeevika Didis, Anganwadi workers, Asha workers, lawyers, and doctors expressed their concerns from the stage.
Priyanka Gandhi engaged with the audience, snapping selfies, exchanging handshakes, and even led the crowd in singing "Hum Honge Kamyaab", which evoked enthusiastic cheers from attendees who previously chanted slogans like "Vote thieves, leave the throne!"
Following the Patna gathering, the Congress General Secretary departed by helicopter for Motihari's Gandhi Maidan, where she participated in the "Har Ghar Adhikar Rally".
She was accompanied by State Congress President Rajesh Ram, State party in-charge Krishna Allavaru, and several Members of Parliament.