Lok Sabha Election 2019: Sizeable women turnout in dry Bihar gives NDA netas the kick

In 23 of the 24 constituencies that have gone to polls in Bihar, women voters came out in droves to the election booths, hugely outnumbering men, to exercise their franchise this Lok Sabha election.

A similar trend in the previous elections show that women voters have traditionally pressed the button for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and were instrumental on his return to power in 2015, when he promised to ban alcohol in the state. "Now that prohibition is in place, women voters are coming out to express their gratitude and ensure the NDA's victory in Bihar," chorused several JD(U) leaders.

The ruling alliance also feel the Kumar's "Vikas Purush" image along with his social reform agenda against child marriage and dowry system and the welfare schemes for females have helped in garnering the support of women, also referred to some as "Nitish voters".

In almost 18 of the 24 constituencies, the female voters outnumber men by over 5%. In some constituencies such as Madhubani, Sitamarhi, Darbhanga, Jhanjharpur, Ujiarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai and Khagaria, the difference is almost 10%. The only constituency where female turnout was lesser than males was Gaya, where 55.53% of females voted as against 56.75% male.

The last few elections have seen a higher turnout of women during voting in Bihar but sociologists feel it may also be due to migration, as menfolk from Bihar ekes out living in several other states.

The NDA leaders feel that not just prohibition but women are also turning out to vote for "improved law and order in Bihar." However, The opposition too rakes up the same point saying female voters are coming out to raise their voice against "deteriorating law and order and increased violence against women" in the state.

"So many incidents of violence against women come to light every day. The biggest among it all is the Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case. So may videos of rape and molestation were made viral and the incidents are rising by the day and they will be voted out of power on May 23," a senior RJD leader told DNA.