Patna: The National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) significant victory in the Bihar Assembly elections, where it secured 202 seats, has sparked renewed discussion regarding the Election Commission’s involvement in permitting cash transfers to women during the election period. Under the Chief Minister’s Women’s Employment Scheme, ₹10,000 was given to women statewide, continuing even after the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into effect on October 6. The initiative commenced with the first installment on September 26, 2025, and provided five installments during the MCC period, including one released on the day elections were announced. Furthermore, the state government advertised in leading newspapers in October, promoting payment dates in December.
This situation has led to comparisons with earlier cases where the EC intervened. Since 2004, at least ten similar initiatives were suspended in five states due to MCC violations.
Previous EC interventions include: Rajasthan (2023), where the Congress government’s Indira Gandhi Smartphone Scheme was halted, resulting in Congress’s defeat and BJP’s return to power; Telangana (2018–2023), where Rythu Bandhu payments ceased just before elections, leading to the ousting of KCR’s government and a Congress majority; Andhra Pradesh (2024), where YSR Cheyutha, Vidya Deevena, and six other DBT schemes were terminated, contributing to Jagan Mohan Reddy’s government loss and the return of Chandrababu Naidu’s party; Odisha (2019) where KALIA scheme was stopped for MCC violations, allowing BJD to retain power while strengthening BJP; and Tamil Nadu (2004, 2011), where electricity bill and TV distribution schemes were suspended during elections, resulting in the AIADMK alliance winning 203 of 234 seats in 2011.
In contrast, cash transfers in Bihar proceeded without EC intervention. Likewise, funds from Jharkhand’s Maiyaan Samman Yojana were allegedly transferred to women’s accounts until just before voting, despite BJP complaints, yet the Hemant Soren government secured a two-thirds majority. Experts have voiced concerns, with political analyst Abhiranjan Kumar stating that money flowing during elections undermines democratic fairness, affecting public opinion and governance performance assessments. Rashid Kidwai remarked that while India’s democracy values decorum, its application is inconsistent, urging the EC to act fairly and provide equal chances for all political parties during elections. The Bihar situation has reignited discussions on the consistency of EC actions and whether similar schemes in other states were treated differently, impacting election fairness.
