Women Power at the Heart of Bihar Poll Battle: PM Modi’s Call for Record Turnout
- MGMMTeam
- Nov 7
- 4 min read
As Bihar heads into the 2025 Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has placed women at the centre of the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) campaign strategy. During an interaction with NDA’s women workers under the “Mera Booth Sabse Majboot” initiative, Modiji urged them to play a leading role in ensuring record voter turnout.
The Prime Minister’s meeting, held just ahead of the crucial two-phase polls on November 6 and 11, reflected a clear message: women are not merely voters—they are the backbone of grassroots mobilisation. He praised their growing role in society and politics, reminding them that women’s participation in previous elections had often surpassed that of men. Modiji’s appeal—“Pehle Matdaan, Phir Jalpaan” (First vote, then breakfast)—captured his call for early and enthusiastic participation at polling booths.
Empowerment as a Political Force
In his address, Modiji emphasised that the NDA government’s development journey has been shaped by women’s empowerment. He cited the transformation of Bihar from a period once described as “jungle raj” to a state of social and economic progress. Initiatives like free LPG connections under Ujjwala Yojana, financial inclusion through Jan Dhan accounts, and rural housing schemes have directly benefited women, positioning them as key stakeholders in the NDA’s narrative of growth.
Women workers were urged to translate these achievements into electoral strength. Modiji reminded them that the success of welfare schemes should be reflected at the ballot box—each booth representing a story of empowerment and participation. His message resonated deeply, particularly in Bihar, where migration has left women as the primary voters and decision-makers in many families.
Why Women Voters Hold the Key in Bihar
Women voters have long been a decisive factor in Bihar’s politics. With many men migrating to other states for work, women now form the most consistent and influential voting bloc. Their turnout has consistently outpaced that of men, reshaping the political arithmetic of the state.
The Election Commission recorded an unprecedented turnout of 64.66 percent in the first phase of voting this year—the highest in Bihar’s electoral history. Political analysts attribute this surge partly to the targeted mobilisation of women voters by both the BJP and JD(U). Modiji’s campaign therefore places special emphasis on sustaining this momentum, transforming women’s enthusiasm into a commanding electoral advantage.
The NDA’s Broader Mission in Bihar
The 2025 election represents a crucial test for the NDA, which aims to secure over 160 seats out of 243 for a comfortable majority. The alliance, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and backed by Modiji’s national campaign, is positioning itself as the guarantor of stability, progress, and women’s safety.
Throughout the campaign, NDA leaders—including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and Smriti Irani—have reinforced the message that Bihar’s development depends on women’s active participation. From the rollout of welfare transfers worth over $800 million to women beneficiaries to the promotion of female entrepreneurship, the alliance has attempted to build a bridge between policy and politics.
At the same time, the campaign has contrasted this vision with the opposition’s record, accusing the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress of divisive politics and misgovernance. The narrative of “development versus regression” continues to dominate NDA’s messaging.
Challenges and Opposition Response
While the NDA banks on women’s empowerment as its winning formula, opposition parties are highlighting growing unemployment, inflation, and migration as signs of government failure. They argue that welfare schemes and subsidies, while welcome, do not compensate for the lack of long-term employment opportunities.
The opposition’s counter-campaign has focused on the younger electorate and first-time voters, seeking to offset the NDA’s advantage among women. However, NDA strategists believe that their booth-level mobilisation—led by women volunteers—will neutralise anti-incumbency and sustain enthusiasm through the second phase of polling.
Booth-Level Strength: The Core of Modiji’s Message
The “Mera Booth Sabse Majboot” drive encapsulates the BJP’s philosophy of grassroots politics. Modiji’s direct engagement with booth workers underscores his belief that electoral success begins at the micro-level. By empowering women volunteers to take charge of voter lists, organise local meetings, and ensure early turnout, the NDA hopes to convert organisational discipline into electoral victory.
This model mirrors Modiji’s long-standing political approach, where local participation and personal connection are treated as the foundation of mass mobilisation. For the women of Bihar—many of whom are first-generation political participants—this marks both an opportunity and a moment of recognition.
A State Poised Between Progress and Promise
Bihar’s election this year is not just a contest for power—it is a referendum on the state’s development trajectory. From infrastructure and education to women’s safety and social inclusion, the stakes are immense. With women emerging as a decisive force, their participation could determine not only who governs Bihar but also the tone of its governance in the coming years.
If the NDA’s women-led mobilisation succeeds, it may reshape future campaign strategies across India, reinforcing the idea that women’s political agency is both a moral and strategic strength.
The MGMM Outlook
As Bihar moves toward the 2025 Assembly elections, the state’s political rhythm is being powered by women’s growing voice and participation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent interaction with NDA’s women workers under the Mera Booth Sabse Majboot initiative highlighted a transformation long underway—women are no longer peripheral voters but central architects of grassroots mobilisation. The Prime Minister’s call, “Pehle Matdaan, Phir Jalpaan,” symbolises a larger shift in India’s political culture, where women’s empowerment is viewed not merely as a welfare outcome but as a driving force for democratic energy. With migration making women the core decision-makers in many Bihar households, their influence has become both social and strategic.
The NDA’s campaign narrative, built on welfare initiatives like Ujjwala Yojana, Jan Dhan, and rural housing, positions women as the face of development and stability. Yet, beyond electoral arithmetic lies a deeper truth: women’s political rise in Bihar reflects the state’s transition from dependence to determination. As opposition parties focus on economic grievances, the NDA’s women-led mobilisation underscores a different story—of participation, confidence, and ownership. In the heartland of India’s political battleground, women are no longer a vote bank; they are the movement itself—redefining not just who wins Bihar, but how democracy itself evolves.
(Sources: India TV News, MoneyControl, India Today)
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