Nitish showers sops ahead of polls, sparks ‘populism’ buzz

As the monsoon session of the Bihar assembly convenes from July 21~ the last session of the state’s 17th Vidhan Sabha before the elections ~ chief minister Nitish Kumar is unleashing generosity like never before.

- Arun Kumar

Ever since he became CM in 2005, he hasn't announced so many sops before any assembly or Lok Sabha polls.

The rain of sops echo a streak of populism that several leaders have shown while going to polls in various India states, and it also positions Nitish in direct competition with the Opposition that has been promising schemes like Mai Behen Yojna and others to entice Bihar voters.

Nitish’s largesse is also significant as he has been averse to such demands earlier citing huge financial implications to the state, like the 125 units of free electricity, nearly three times increase in old-age pension to benefit around 1.10-crore people, large-scale recruitment and a lot more touching all segments.

Butas his cabinet has given its go-ahead to these schemes, they will have to pass the House test as bills seeking their implementation will be tabled in the assembly.