Congress Challenges Nitish Kumar's Election Schemes
Bihar is entering a crucial election phase, and the political landscape is heating up. In an interview, Rajesh Kumar Ram, the state Congress chief and a prominent Dalit leader of the Grand Alliance, voiced strong criticism against the incumbent Nitish Kumar government. Despite Nitish’s popularity among women voters, his schemes seem to have backfired.
The Jeevika scheme, which provides loans to women, was highlighted by Ram. While it was designed to empower, many women in Bihar view the ₹10,000 loan as a burden rather than a benefit. During his campaign in Majholi village, Ram discovered that out of 77 women, only one had received the loan. This discrepancy has stirred discontent, even among men in the community.
Additionally, the old-age pension has been increased to ₹1,100, yet Ram argues that the Grand Alliance has a more appealing plan. They promise a monthly assistance of ₹2,500 to every household under the Mai Behan Maan Yojana, aiming to secure the votes of women who feel neglected by the current government.
As a key Dalit face of the Grand Alliance, Ram is also focused on securing votes from the Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) and Mahadalits. He mentioned a charter announced by Rahul Gandhi that includes loans and government contract quotas for EBCs. The Congress plans to eliminate the contract labor system that the current government heavily relies on, addressing the aspirations of marginalized communities.
Ram expressed concern about the NDA's potential impact on their voter base, particularly from Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party. He believes that simply fielding candidates from certain communities will not significantly affect their prospects. Instead, he suggests that voters disillusioned with the political system might lean towards NOTA (None of the Above).
Lastly, addressing the NDA's campaign revolving around "jungle raj," Ram dismissed these tactics as fearmongering. He emphasized that the anti-incumbency sentiment against Nitish Kumar is palpable, and the NDA's attempts to divert attention from their failures will not resonate with the electorate.
