‘People won’t sell their future for Rs 10,000’: Prashant Kishor weighs in on Bihar poll result outcome

What is the ‘Rs 10,000 for votes’ claim?

In the run up to the 2025 Bihar Assembly election, which the NDA won with 202 seats, the Nitish Kumar government announced the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana (Chief Minister Women’s Employment Scheme). Under the scheme, Rs 10,000 financial assistance was provided to women to promote self-employment and livelihood opportunities.

Around 1.25 crore women voters were beneficiaries of the scheme.

The Congress alleged that the financial transfer was executed in the run-up to the polls, with large sums reportedly being sanctioned just an hour before the Model Code of Conduct came into force.

Congress leader and former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot even alleged that the Election Commission of India (ECI) “colluded” BJP and JD(U), and cash and benefits, including Rs 10,000 to women, were distributed to voters despite the model code of conduct being in force in Bihar.

What Prashant Kishor is saying about the cash-transfer benefits?

Prashant Kishor, while dismissing the ‘sale of votes’ charge, said government machinery was indeed used to lure people. “In every Assembly seat, at least 60,000–62,000 people were given Rs 10,000 and promised a Rs 2 lakh loan. Government officials were on duty telling people they would get the loan if the NDA returned to power, and Jeevika didis were put on duty for this,” he said.

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