Bihar BJP MLA Vinay Bihari questions ₹10,000 crore JEEVIKA payout before polls

Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Lauriaya, Vinay Bihari, has publicly criticised his own government's decision to distribute ₹10,000 crore to JEEVIKA didis ahead of the 2025 assembly election, saying the timing of the transfers has hurt ongoing development work.

In a video dated September 21, 2026, that has since circulated widely on social media, the former minister questioned the functioning of the National Democratic Alliance government led by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary. Speaking to reporters in Buxar, he asked why money needed to be handed out during an election period when developmental work was already under way and visible to people.

Mr. Bihari argued that the payout would leave the state carrying a debt burden and create difficulties in mobilising resources for future schemes. He also said he was unsure whether his remarks would invite disciplinary action.

Describing the BJP as a temple to him, he said his conscience compelled him to speak when something went wrong, even there. He added that speaking too little could cost votes, speaking more could cost a ticket, and speaking excessively could cost a person his position, and that he did not know what consequences his statement would bring.

Months before the assembly election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the scheme through videoconferencing from Delhi and transferred ₹7,500 crore directly into the accounts of 75 lakh women in Bihar. The Nitish Kumar-led state government has so far moved money to more than 1.81 crore women under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, which is aimed at helping women start their own businesses.

The opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress have repeatedly accused the state government of bribing voters before the election, and have more recently claimed that the state treasury has been left depleted by freebies announced during the campaign.

This is not the first time Mr. Bihari has broken ranks. He had earlier criticised the state's prohibition policy, saying liquor was being sold openly and that the police were aware of it, and had sought a review of the law.

The MLA also raised broader questions about political eligibility and remuneration, asking how a person in prison can contest an election when an ordinary inmate cannot vote, and why politicians should draw salaries and pensions when politics is meant to be public service.

Asked about a party legislator speaking the language of the opposition, Bihar BJP spokesperson Kuntal Krishna said the party is fully democratic but that members must be mindful of where, when and on what issue they speak. He said there is no shortage of funds in the state and that Mr. Bihari may not be aware of the position, adding that JEEVIKA didis deserved the support as they have done excellent work and helped build a domestic market worth nearly ₹60,000 crore.

RJD spokesperson Ejaz Ahmed backed the MLA, saying he had spoken from his conscience, and repeated the opposition's allegation that the NDA formed the government by giving bribes to women before the election.