Patna: Congress has raised objections to the Bihar government’s decision to transfer ₹10,000 to women beneficiaries under the Chief Minister’s Women’s Employment Scheme on 6 November, the day of voting for the first phase of the state assembly elections.
At a press conference in Patna on Tuesday, former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot called the timing of the disbursement “questionable” and urged the Election Commission to intervene. “Previously, actions of this nature were prohibited under the model code of conduct,” he said.
The state government has argued that the payments are part of an existing scheme and therefore not in violation of election rules. The programme, which credits TRs. 10,000 directly to women’s bank accounts, has already reached 12.1 million beneficiaries. A further 15.1 million women have received the latest instalment, and the remaining transfers are expected to be completed by December. Opposition parties allege that the timing is politically motivated.
Gehlot used the press conference to appeal for support for the Grand Alliance, saying the state needed “a fresh start” after two decades under chief minister Nitish Kumar. “If Tejashwi becomes chief minister, fulfilling his promises will be his priority. Young leadership brings concern for the future,” he said, adding that the alliance had run a “positive campaign” in contrast to the NDA’s “negative tone”.
He also predicted strain within the ruling coalition after the polls. “Just wait and see what the relationship between the BJP and the JDU will be after the elections,” he said. “This is a dictatorial government. Nitish Kumar is helpless.”
The ruling Janata Dal (United) has dismissed the allegations, calling the scheme a long-running welfare measure. Nitish Kumar has previously said that claims of refunds or reversals under the scheme are “baseless rumours”.
