Will higher female voter turnout help CM Nitish Kumar?

According to Election Commission data, Bihar has recorded 55.7 per cent polling in the second phase with 53 per cent of the men and 58.8 per cent of women voting. Increased participation of women is considered a progressive sign for democracy but in whose favour is the votes going? The debate is on.

Patna:Bihar's ruling and the opposition parties are engaged in making claims before the third phase of voting in the state. At the same time, the discussion about the youth's enthusiasm about the jobs is in full swing and that maybe the opposition can get some benefit out of it. On the flip side, the increasing participation of women voters is touted to be beneficial for the ruling party. However, experts views vary on the topic.

Increasing number of women voters

According to Election Commission data, Bihar has recorded 55.7 per cent polling in the second phase with 53 per cent of the men and 58.8 per cent of women voting. Increased participation of women is considered a progressive sign for democracy and this year, it is making the ruling party happy since the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was seen mentioning the work done for women in each of his meetings.

From liquor ban to free education for girls, cycle scheme, the CM has been mentioning all the schemes in all of his campaigns. Cashing in on the same topics, JDU leaders also specifically mention that Nitish Kumar has taken the people out of the dark and moved them towards light and that the women voters are specially voting for NDA.

"This is jungle raj versus good governance, development versus lazy government. With JDU's coming into power, the people have experienced light. Now, they don't want to move back towards dark again. They are fully aware and then go for voting," said JDU spokesperson, Rajiv Ranjan.

However, the RJD leader retaliated by saying that this time the NDA is not getting any support.

"NDA is not getting the support of anyone. In the last meeting of the last phase elections, NDA's candidate surrendered. Tejashwi Yadav was constantly saying that the Chief Minister is tired and not looking after Bihar. He was proved right. Bihar gave NDA a lot of opportunities but it has failed completely. No leader was seen during the Corona period," said Mrityunjay Tiwari, RJD spokesperson.

The increasing participation of women may be encouraging the ruling party, but experts are also seeing it from another perspective.

Professor DM Diwakar, a political analyst says that just because women voters supported Nitish during the initial phases since his assumption of power, it is not necessary that it will be repeated.

"The migrants who have returned from other states in lockdown faced a lot of issues like unemployment, the burnt of this was also bore by women of the household. Therefore, there can be an Anti-incumbency sentiment amongst women voters and that's why they are turning up in such huge numbers to vote," Prof. said.

With so much of uncertainty prevailing over women's vote and ruling parties excitement, where the scales will tip remains to be seen.

Voting for the third phase in 78 seats will be held on Saturday and the counting of votes will be done on November 10.