NDA’s cash pitch to women swung Bihar polls: Vikassheel Insaan Party's Mukesh Sahani credits MMRY scheme

Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 concluded on an overwhelming note with NDA crossing the 200 mark and leaving the Mahagathbandhan parties far behind the battle. According to the Election Commission, female candidates outdid men by 14 percentage points and women were more in voter turnout in seven districts of Bihar.

Reacting to NDA's historic win, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) founder Mukesh Sahani on Friday argued that their promise of direct financial assistance to women was a significant reason behind electoral success. He clearly attributed his party’s success to BJP-led NDA’s aggressive cash outreach to women voters.

“Our mothers and sisters who live in poverty felt that the money would change their lives. Naturally, they voted for that promise,” Sahani told news agency PTI, calling the trend “a clear case of the government using state money as a campaign lever."

The VIP leader pointed at the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana (MMRY). The scheme is dedicated to women entrepreneurs. It promises Rs 2.10 lakh in instalments, encouraging them to start small enterprises such tailoring units, beauty parlours, and more.

The first instalment of Rs 10,000 has already been credited to the bank accounts of over 1.21 crore women enrolled under the JEEViKA self-help group network, PTI stated.