Abuse, outrage and women voters: Bihar's political battle intensifies

NEW DELHI: The ruling NDA’s five-hour Bihar bandh, called to protest the alleged abuse of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother during Congress’ recently concluded ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra,’ drew a mixed response on Thursday.In Patna, traffic was thin, some private schools declared a holiday, and shopkeepers were divided - while some closed their shutters, others kept their businesses open - during the bandh from 7 am to noon, news agency PTI reported.The bandh was called after a video went viral showing a man allegedly hurling abuses at PM Modi during Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra.’ Bihar NDA leaders launched a coordinated offensive against Congress and RJD following the incident, framing it as an insult to mothers and women.During an emotional appeal on Tuesday at the launch of a new women’s cooperative credit initiative, ‘Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sang,’ PM Modi had said: "I may forgive RJD, Congress, but the people of Bihar won’t pardon them for insulting my mother. My late mother had nothing to do with politics, so what was her fault? Why was she abused? It is now the duty of every son of Bihar to hold the RJD-Congress combine accountable for their conduct."The NDA offensive comes ahead of the Bihar assembly elections scheduled for October-November. The NDA, led by chief minister Nitish Kumar, enjoys strong support among women voters, who have historically played a decisive role in state elections. In 2020, women voter turnout was 60 per cent compared to 54 per cent for men, echoing trends from 2015.Nitish Kumar’s policies, including 50 per cent reservation in panchayats, bicycles for schoolgirls, and alcohol prohibition, have helped forge a loyal women voter base. In the past two months, the ruling coalition has launched several women-focused schemes, including the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, seen as a potential game-changer in the upcoming polls.As NDA moves to highlight the abuse row in order to solidify its women voter base, the opposition has also hit out with strong rebuttals. RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav questioned the conduct of NDA supporters during the bandh, saying: "Did PM Modi order BJP members to insult the mothers, sisters, and daughters of Bihar? Is it appropriate for BJP goons to harass teachers, women, students, pregnant women, the elderly, and journalists?"RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav accused the NDA of political opportunism, highlighting PM Modi’s overseas trips while recalling past remarks by the Prime Minister he termed anti-women. "Where were the PM's sensibilities while making vulgar jibes about a girlfriend worth Rs 50 crore? Or when his MLAs hurled abuses at opposition members in the assembly?" he said. Tejashwi also suggested the bandh was a reaction to the success of the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra,’ which covered over 1,300 km across more than 20 districts and showcased INDIA bloc unity while accusing the NDA of "vote chori".Congress leader Pawan Khera also hit back saying there is no leader or worker in the party who will abuse anybody's mother, but Prime Minister Modi himself insulted his late mother by calling himself "non biological".However, according to political strategist-turned-politican Prashant Kishor, the battle for Bihar may hinge less on who insults whom and more on which party addresses the everyday concerns of its electorate."Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav will abuse PM Modi. When PM Modi comes, he will abuse Rahul Gandhi and Lalu Yadav. But none of them will say when unemployment will end in Bihar, when children will get a good education, or when migration will stop. People of Bihar have no interest in who is abusing whom," said Jan Suraaj chief Prashant Kishor, urging focus on the real issues affecting ordinary citizens.