Daijiworld Media Network - Patna
Patna, Apr 18: As Bihar gears up for Assembly elections, the Congress party has unveiled a women-focused outreach campaign titled ‘Charcha Abhiyan – Mahila Ki Baat, Congress Ke Sath’, aiming to build deeper connections with female voters across the state.
The campaign was officially launched at Sadaqat Ashram, the party's state headquarters, where key Congress leaders including Mahila Congress national president Alka Lamba, Bihar Congress president Rajesh Kumar, Shakeel Ahmed Khan, Madan Mohan Jha, and MLA Pratima Das released the initiative’s poster.
Addressing the launch event, Rajesh Kumar took aim at the Nitish Kumar-led government, accusing it of failing to protect women despite various schemes. “There’s no end to crime and corruption. Congress will now directly engage with women at the grassroots to hear their concerns and amplify their voices,” he said.
Alka Lamba announced that the campaign will officially commence on April 20 and cover every panchayat and block in Bihar. She described it as more than a political promise, calling it a “letter of justice” for the women of the state.
The campaign will feature dialogues with key grassroots female workers such as Jeevika Didis, anganwadi workers, sahayikas, and mid-day meal cooks. Lamba reiterated the party’s focus on restoring dignity and rights to women, promising an increased honorarium if Congress comes to power.
She also condemned the lack of decisive action in recent crimes against women, including an incident in Varanasi, saying the so-called “double-engine” government is failing to deliver justice. “The Mahila Congress will challenge this broken system and stand up for women who’ve been let down,” she declared.
Highlighting Congress’s commitment to women's welfare, Lamba pointed to initiatives like installing sanitary vending machines in two districts as part of broader efforts to improve health and hygiene for women.
On the same day, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched a parallel programme titled Mahila Samvad, setting the stage for a contest over women's support in the lead-up to the polls.