Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Kumar Jha criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for promising monthly financial aid to women and unemployed youth in West Bengal before the state’s Assembly polls, calling it an ‘act of desperation’. The BJP, in its manifesto, pledged Rs 3,000 monthly support to women and unemployed youth in West Bengal, along with a Rs 15,000 grant for competitive exam preparations. Jha questioned the silence after an initial cash transfer to women in Bihar and raised concerns about the lack of similar measures post-elections.
Jha highlighted the disparity in financial assistance between Bihar and West Bengal, questioning why the promised Rs 2 lakh per person in Bihar was not fulfilled while new promises were made in West Bengal. He criticized the BJP for making distinctions in promises across different states and labeled the financial pledges in West Bengal as an act of desperation. The RJD MP emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to women’s financial support, especially in the context of the Women’s Reservation Bill.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative of transferring Rs 10,000 to women in Bihar before the state elections was noted, but Jha pointed out the absence of similar actions after the NDA government’s return to power in Bihar. He called for a more inclusive approach to financial aid, stating that the promises made in West Bengal should not overshadow the needs of Bihar’s residents. Jha also advocated for a ‘quota within quota’ provision to ensure comprehensive progress in women’s financial empowerment.
