Bihar assembly elections: Parties to roll out red carpet for women voters

PATNA: Since women voters have outnumbered their male counterparts in terms of voting percentage in past one decade in the state, political parties are trying their best to strengthen their women cells and attract women voters in the upcoming assembly elections in the state.
In 2010 assembly elections, 54% women and 51% male voters had exercised their franchise. The figure in 2015 assembly elections went up to 59% for women voters and 53.9% for male voters.
With an eye on women voters, the ruling JD(U) has decided to deploy three to four active female workers at each booth. The party has coined the term ‘booth sakhi’ for these workers who will interact with local women and inform them about the work done by CM Nitish Kumar for the welfare of women.
Party’s women cell state president Sweta Vishwash said, “Nitish has worked a lot for women. Prohibition, reservation in government job and panchayati raj system, incentives to female child and scholarship to girl students are some of the examples. One can see transformation in the field of women empowerment.”
Sweta said the ‘booth sakhis’ would inform women voters about girls of their area who received Rs 25,000 scholarship after completing graduation. “We have also planned to hold an all-woman road show in all districts highlighting women empowerment in the state,” Sweta added.
The RJD has also planned to involve more women in its door-to-door campaign. RJD women cell state president Abha Lata said the party would focus on strengthening women base at panchayat level.
“Tall promises made by the CM are actually lying on papers. Our women groups will listen to the grievances of women and provide them all necessary help. Liquor ban has actually come as harassment for women from poor families. Their husbands are being sent to jail and they are running from pillar to post to get them released. Many women are not getting their due pension amount in the state,” Abha said.
The BJP is also trying to involve at least four active women workers at each booth. “We have decided to give one-third representation to women in our block and district level committees,” BJP state spokesperson Nikhil Anand said, adding the party will also rope in local women representatives before the election.
The Congress, on the other hand, has decided to make ‘mahila pracharaks’ at panchayat level. “We will make new women cell members at district, block and panchayat level by mid-March. These members will interact with local women and tell them about Congress’s agenda,” BPCC women cell president Amita Bhushan said.