Patna: In a bid to boost its outreach ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, the Congress party on Friday announced a new initiative targeting women voters. The state unit will distribute sanitary pads bearing images of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi to five lakh women across the state, along with details of a new welfare promise: a monthly financial aid of Rs 2,500.
The announcement was made by Bihar Congress chief Rajesh Ram following a meeting of district presidents. According to him, the campaign will be carried out in coordination with the Mahila Congress, and each sanitary pad packet will feature a message promoting the party’s ‘Mai Behan Maan Yojana’, under which the financial support scheme is proposed.
“This is not just about welfare, it is about restoring dignity and empowerment to the women of Bihar,” he said.
The party also expressed concern over what it described as efforts to disenfranchise voters. Ram alleged a “conspiracy” behind the ongoing voter list revision and urged party workers to hold chaupals (village meetings) across blocks and panchayats to educate citizens on verifying their details in the electoral roll.
AICC Secretary Allavaru, who also attended the meeting, echoed these concerns. “There is a systematic attempt to strip people of their right to vote,” he claimed. “Our primary duty is to ensure that supporters and eligible voters complete registration and verification so that no one is denied their franchise.”
The meeting also focused on election preparedness, organisational strategy, and outreach efforts on seats considered strongholds by the party. Leaders were urged to spotlight local issues and connect with the electorate through targeted campaigns.
Among the senior Congress figures present were Shakeel Ahmed Khan, Madan Mohan Jha, Uday Bhanu, Alka Lamba, Sushil Pasi, Shahnawaz Alam and Devendra Yadav.
