Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar concluded the inaugural phase of his statewide Samriddhi Yatra on Saturday with a grand rally in Vaishali district, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of over 10,000 supporters. This event marked the end of a journey that has spanned nine districts so far, as part of Nitish's 15th such yatra since assuming office, aimed at reviewing key governmental projects and welfare initiatives.
Massive Turnout and Women's Dominance at Vaishali Rally
The rally, held at the Baba Bateshwar Nath Dham campus, witnessed a turnout that reportedly surpassed even Nitish's election gatherings, with women constituting a majority of the attendees. Many women navigated through mustard and cabbage fields to reach the venue early, hoping to secure prime seating near the stage. Police faced challenges in managing the crowd, initially halting some women in black attire due to protest concerns, but eventually allowing all to enter as numbers swelled, creating near-stampede conditions.
Controversy Over Women's Scheme Participation
Amid the festivities, concerns emerged regarding the Mukyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana (MMRY), a flagship scheme launched before the 2025 Assembly elections. JEEViKA didis, beneficiaries of this women empowerment initiative, revealed that attendance at the rally was mandated to receive subsequent instalments of the scheme, which promises up to Rs 2.1 lakh over time. Ramkali Devi, a participant, stated, "We were asked to attend the rally mandatorily; otherwise, we might not get future instalments." This has sparked debates about the scheme's implementation and its use in rally mobilization.
Nitish's Speech: Focus on Development and Job Creation
Arriving by helicopter and accompanied by Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary and other cabinet members, Nitish Kumar took the stage in a black prince coat. In his address, he outlined the Samriddhi Yatra's purpose: to assess the progress of his 'Saat Nischay-3' development roadmap. He reiterated his election promise to generate one crore jobs in Bihar, emphasizing industrialization, medical colleges in every district, and new townships for "ease of living." Nitish also highlighted his government's achievements in women's empowerment, including quotas in panchayats and state jobs, crediting the MMRY for bolstering support among women and contributing to the NDA's landslide victory in the recent polls.
Youth Concerns and Government Promises
Despite the focus on women, some youth attendees expressed dissatisfaction. Ayush Kumar and Niket Kumar, graduate students preparing for competitive exams, criticized the yatra as "too women-centric" and called for more clarity on youth employment opportunities. They noted, "There is too much populism in the entire theme of this yatra." In response, Nitish's speech included commitments to industrial zones in all 38 districts, five new expressways, and a dedicated Youth, Employment and Skill Development Department, alongside prioritizing 94 lakh poor families for welfare schemes.
The rally's atmosphere was charged with banners promoting government initiatives, from the Mahila Rojgar scheme to infrastructure projects. As Nitish continues his yatra, the balance between women-centric policies and broader employment strategies remains a key topic in Bihar's political landscape.
