Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar
Bihar election 2025: The results and trends emerging from the political battle of Bihar may be shocking for many people. JDU, which had fallen below the 50 seats mark last time, is maintaining a strong lead on 80 seats this time. This is a comeback that has forced even political analysts to think. The question is, how did this happen? The answer to this lies in the blueprint of Nitish Kumar’s 20-year tenure. It seems that Nitish had probably realized that whatever had to be done, he had done it and now all that was left was to seal the results. In this entire election, Nitish Kumar has emerged as the image of a ‘scheme man’. The magic of his schemes has appealed to the voters, especially women.
JDU got life from ‘Jeevika Didi’
If credit for this electoral lead has to be given to any one group, then it is the women of Bihar. Nitish Kumar From the beginning of his tenure, he focused special attention on women. The biggest example of this was the Cycle and Uniform Scheme started in 2006. When girls started riding bicycles to school on the roads of Bihar, that picture was just a Plan Not a success, but it became a poster of social change. This single step unprecedentedly increased girls’ school attendance and access to higher education.
But the matter was not limited to bicycles only. In 2006 itself, 50 percent reservation was given to women in Panchayats and urban bodies through the Panchayati Raj Act. This step ensured political participation of women at the grassroots level and brought them to the forefront of the decision-making process.
And then came the masterstroke ’10 Hazriya Scheme’ just before the elections. Under Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana, the government has given Rs. 1.30 crore to self-help groups. ‘Jeevika didis’ Transferred 10-10 thousand rupees directly to the account of. These women, whose total number is more than 1.4 crore, constitute about 40 percent of the approximately 3.5 crore women voters in the state. This amount was given to him to start his own business. It was also assured that on the basis of performance, they can get additional assistance up to Rs 2 lakh. This one scheme strongly mobilized the women vote bank in the JDU side.
Rural women supported liquor ban
The day of April 4, 2016 will always be remembered in Nitish Kumar’s political journey, when he implemented complete prohibition in the state. There was a complete ban on the manufacture, sale and consumption of liquor. This decision was criticized at many levels, but among the women in rural Bihar, Nitish Kumar’s image became that of a great social reformer. This was a great relief for the women whose houses were being ruined due to alcohol. This one decision strengthened his acceptance among women voters so much that it continues till today.
From allowance to credit card worth Rs 4 lakh
Nitish Kumar left no stone unturned in wooing the women as well as the youth of the state. He understood that it is difficult to remain in power without fulfilling the aspirations of the young population. With this thinking in mind, two big schemes were launched on 2 October 2016.
The first was ‘Chief Minister Nishchay Self Help Allowance Scheme’. Under this, a provision was made to provide financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per month for two years to unemployed youth aged 20 to 25 years who have passed 12th and are not pursuing further studies.
The second and most ambitious scheme was ‘Student Credit Card’. Its objective was to ensure that no student of Bihar stops his studies after 12th due to lack of money. Under this scheme, arrangements were made to provide interest free education loan of up to Rs 4 lakh to students for higher education. These schemes directly connected a large section of youth with the government.
Rs 1100 Pension, 125 units free electricity
Nitish Kumar’s strategy was not limited to just women and youth. He also worked on schemes touching the common man and every family. Recently, the amount of social security pension was directly increased from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100. This decision directly benefited more than one crore beneficiaries of the state, most of whom are elderly and needy.
Along with this, the announcement of providing 125 units of free electricity to domestic consumers from August 2025 has given relief to every household. All this is part of the ‘Saat Nishchay’ program which focused on rural and urban infrastructure, such as ‘tap water to every house’ and better roads.
Whether it is called welfare politics or a well-planned election strategy, Nitish Kumar has won the trust of the common man of Bihar on the basis of his schemes. It is these schemes that have shaped his political identity, which has ensured such a strong comeback of JDU.