In the aftermath of its considerable defeat in the Bihar Assembly elections, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj party has accused the NDA of exploiting World Bank funds. Party spokesperson Pavan Verma informed ANI that funds designated for a different World Bank-supported initiative were instead distributed to women voters during the election period. Verma stated that ₹10,000 was deposited into the accounts of 1.25 crore women under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana. He added that Bihar’s public debt has escalated to ₹4,06,000 crore, with daily interest payments amounting to ₹63 crore, placing significant pressure on the state treasury. Verma alleged that the ₹10,000 given to each beneficiary originated from a ₹21,000 crore World Bank allocation intended for another project.
He claimed that just one hour prior to the implementation of the model code of conduct, ₹14,000 crore was redirected and distributed, although he acknowledged that the information might not be completely verified. He raised concerns about the ethical implications if the claims are substantiated, suggesting that governments could reallocate funds during elections and subsequently justify their actions. Verma mentioned that there were rumors indicating women would not receive the remaining funds if the NDA did not regain power. Among four crore eligible women, 2.5 crore reportedly did not receive benefits and feared losing out if the ruling alliance was defeated.
When asked if welfare schemes swayed the election results, Verma noted that Prime Minister Modi had previously criticized the distribution of freebies, yet similar strategies were evident in Bihar. He also dismissed claims that Jan Suraaj’s underwhelming performance was connected to Prashant Kishor’s position on lifting the liquor ban, pointing out that illegal alcohol sales continue to affect households led by women. Verma concluded that the party’s loss was due to a variety of factors, including the last-minute cash distributions and the government’s emphasis on women-focused policies.
