Rs 10,000 handouts can’t buy votes, Bihar women want dignity: Priyanka Gandhi

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi, in a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, alleged that by transferring Rs 10,000 each to the bank accounts of 75 lakh women in Bihar, the 20-year-old NDA government is trying to buy votes days before the elections.

Addressing an election rally in Motihari, Bihar on Friday, she said the BJP-JDU government has never worked for the welfare of women, but with elections approaching, they are now pretending to be champions of women’s rights. “The women of Bihar will no longer fall for their tricks. They will drive these anti-women forces out of power,” she added.

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She further said, “No one is heard in Bihar, but as elections approach, all sorts of announcements are made. Narendra Modi imposed GST on everything, but now that elections are near, they’re offering GST relief. Today, the BJP is talking about giving Rs 10,000 to women, but why didn’t these people, who have been in power for 20 years, think about women before?”

“The question is, why are they waking up only before elections? The answer is simple, they want your vote. I say, if they give you Rs 10,000, take it, but vote for the country,” she said.

She said handing out money is not a sign of respect. “Real respect will come when fair wages are given, when daughters feel safe, and can go to school. Modi and Nitish cannot provide that respect. To bring justice and dignity to Bihar, the vote thieves must be removed, and a rights-based government. The INDIA Alliance must be brought to power.”

Earlier, while participating in the ‘Mahila Samvad’ (Women’s Dialogue) programme at Sadaqat Ashram, the Bihar Congress headquarters in Patna, Priyanka Gandhi said: “Women in Bihar are wise. They understand the conspiracy of doing nothing for 20 years and then attempting to buy votes with cash before elections.”

She promised that an INDIA bloc government would address every issue faced by women in Bihar and ensure their dignity. She pledged that under the alliance government, women would receive Rs 2,500 per month, free medical treatment up to Rs 25 lakh, and ownership rights to 3 to 5 decimals of land.

During the event, Priyanka Gandhi interacted with women associated with ASHA, Anganwadi, JEEViKA, and self-help groups from across sectors. She listened to their concerns and assured them of comprehensive solutions under the INDIA bloc’s governance.