The initiative is a comprehensive outreach program designed to connect with over two crore women across 70,000 locations in Bihar.
This campaign, which will last for approximately two months, is viewed as a vital pre-election strategy by the state government as it approaches the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025.
#WATCH | Patna | Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary inaugurate ‘Mahila Samvad’ campaign focused on women’s empowerment in the state pic.twitter.com/KSdZINJ7pA
— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2025
The programme commenced from the CM’s residence, with 50 specialized vehicles launched on the first day, according to ANI. Ultimately, 600 ‘Mahila Samvad raths’ will reach all 38 districts and 48,000 villages in Bihar.
“This campaign will facilitate around 70,000 dialogues, connecting us directly with two crore women. Under the leadership of CM Nitish Kumar and guidance from PM Modi, our government is dedicated to empowering women and addressing their concerns,” stated Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary to ANI.
The Nitish Kumar-led administration aims to attract female voters ahead of the Bihar elections. Last year, the Bihar cabinet allocated ₹225.78 crore to support the campaign. Special initiatives for women were also introduced in the Bihar Budget 2025, including 33% job reservations for women in the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation, subsidized e-rickshaws and two-wheelers, pink toilets, and dedicated women-only buses and hostels.
“Empowering women is crucial for ensuring nothing obstructs their path to progress. In this regard, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar is launching the ‘Mahila Samvad’ program,” remarked Shravan Kumar, Minister of Bihar’s Rural Development Department, on April 15.
#WATCH Patna: On Bihar CM Nitish Kumar’s ‘Mahila Samvad Rath’ Program, Dy CM Samrat Choudhary commented, “Around 600 chariots, more than 70,000 ‘dola’ will engage directly with over two crore women… CM Nitish Kumar and PM Modi’s government are continuously working for… pic.twitter.com/GiA6kEzvJV
— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2025
Strategic push ahead of polls
While the government asserts that the programme is part of standard grassroots engagement, the Mahila Samvad or Women’s Dialogue campaign’s timing and focus on women indicate a targeted effort to strengthen the female voter base, which has been instrumental in Kumar’s previous electoral successes.
According to Election Commission data, women voter turnout in Bihar has consistently exceeded that of men in the last three assembly elections. During the 2020 Bihar assembly polls, women’s participation reached over 59.7%, compared to 54.7% for men, a significant disparity that influenced many constituencies.
The extensive women-focused outreach aligns with a broader trend in Indian electoral politics, recognizing women as pivotal voters.
Bihar’s strategy seems to draw inspiration from approaches in various states such as Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and even the national capital, New Delhi.
This initiative also allows the government to engage in door-to-door outreach, gathering immediate feedback on the implementation of government schemes, which could inform policy adjustments before the elections.
However, the Kumar-led JD(U) must strive to effect genuine change in the lives of women, as a 2023 report by NITI Aayog on gender equity in Bihar highlighted progress in women’s literacy and Self-Help Group (SHG) formations but pointed out challenges in areas like skilling, health, and digital inclusion.
Despite being among the first in India to reserve 50% of panchayat seats for women and offering 35% reservation in state government jobs, Kumar’s government faces significant opposition from Tejashwi Yadav-led RJD and its Mahagathbandhan.
The state’s political landscape is at a critical juncture, requiring all parties to assess their strategies ahead of the elections. The commitments made before the elections, along with public perception, will determine whether these translate into electoral gains resulting in victories for the respective parties.
