The uneasiness is evident on the face of Anita Kumari, 45, a resident of Vidyarthi Tola in Bihar’s Khagaria district, about 164 km east of Patna. Holding the pallu of her red saree over her head, she speaks with a mixture of apprehension and disbelief.

“Jeevika’s trust was on Nitish ji(Jeevika had faith in Nitish),” she says, referring to the millions of women associated with the state-backed self-help group network.Now we will all become orphans. (Now we will become orphans)”

Their concern reflects the broader sentiment generated by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar filing his nomination for Rajya Sabha on March 5. Once elected to the Upper House, the move could mark the end of his nearly two-decade-long tenure as Bihar chief minister and trigger a leadership change in the state.

For many women associated with the state’s flagship livelihood programme, this development has created uncertainty about the future of welfare initiatives linked to Kumar’s political legacy.

Women at the center of Nitish’s politics

Over the past two decades, Kumar has cultivated one of the most influential social constituencies in Bihar: women. Today about 16.4 million women in the state are organized into Self Help Groups under the Jeevika program implemented through Bihar Rural Livelihood Promotion Society (BRLPS) to promote financial inclusion and economic empowerment among rural women.

Women also constitute a decisive electoral group in the state. Of Bihar’s 75.42 million voters, about 35.14 million are women, making them a powerful political constituency in a state with a population of over 130 million.

Much of this support came from policies introduced during Kumar’s tenure that focused on women’s education, economic independence, and participation in governance.

Soon after coming to power, the government introduced 50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions in 2006, which was later extended to urban local bodies. This decision dramatically increased the number of women in elected positions in grassroots governance across Bihar.

The administration ensured greater representation of women in the workforce by reserving approximately half the seats in primary teacher recruitment and vocational institutions. In 2016, the government introduced 35% reservation in government jobs for women living in Bihar, further strengthening their presence in public employment.

These measures collectively transformed women from passive beneficiaries of welfare schemes to active participants in governance and economic activities.

One of the most notable initiatives launched during Kumar’s tenure was the Mukhyamantri Balika Cycle Yojana, launched in 2006. The scheme provided financial assistance to school girls to purchase bicycles, which enabled them to travel to distant schools and significantly improved enrollment in secondary education.

The program was complemented by free uniforms, scholarships, and the expansion of plus-two schools, intended to retain girls in the education system for longer periods.

Another major initiative took place in 2018 with the launch of Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana. The scheme provides financial incentives to girls from birth to graduation, encourages higher education and discourages early marriage.

In April 2016, Bihar also implemented complete prohibition, a decision that came after sustained pressure from women’s groups who argued that alcohol consumption was linked to domestic violence and social distress in rural households.

Over time, these policies helped solidify women as one of the most reliable support bases for Kumar’s political leadership.

At the center of this transformation is the Jeevika programme, which incorporated millions of rural women into self-help groups engaged in agriculture, livestock rearing and small-scale enterprises.

During his recent public outreach tour, Kumar announced extended financial assistance for these groups under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, promising maximum assistance. ₹Rs 2 lakh to enable women to establish sustainable livelihoods.

More than 10 million women have received its first installment ₹10,000, while many people have applied for the second installment ₹20,000.

For women like Dayawati Kumari and Rekha Kumari of Khagaria’s Vidyarthi Tola, the money has helped start small enterprises.

“We invested first ₹Rs 10,000 in livestock and a tailoring unit,” he says, expressing concern over whether the remaining financial assistance will continue if Kumar steps down.

“For us, livelihood is synonymous with Nitish Babu.”

Similar concerns are visible in other districts also. In Purnia, Sita Devi and Usha Devi have invested their initial installment in livestock, but are unsure about receiving further support after the change in political leadership.

Samridhi Yatra: A possible farewell tour

The concerns figured prominently during Kumar’s latest statewide outreach campaign, Samridhi Yatra, held between March 10 and 14.

Officially, the purpose of the five-day visit was to review governance and announce new development initiatives. However, days after his Rajya Sabha nomination, many observers interpreted it as a possible swan song.

At rallies in the districts, Kumar reminded people of the situation in Bihar before 2005 and compared it with the present, citing improvements in services in law and order, infrastructure development, road and bridge construction, power supply and health and education sectors.

He also outlined future goals such as creating 10 million jobs and employment opportunities for youth in the next five years while strengthening the financial independence of women through extended support to self-help groups.

A large number of women participated in these rallies, underscoring their continued political attachment to Kumar.

Over time, Kumar’s style of governance – marked by frequent public outreach tours – has created high expectations among citizens, especially women.

During his Samriddhi Yatra in Purnia, several groups of women waited on the Purnia-Kasba road in the hope of drawing the Chief Minister’s attention to their housing problems.

Many of them were seeking assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana after losing their roadside huts during the anti-encroachment drive.

“We are living in roadside huts and were displaced during the district administration’s anti-encroachment drive,” said Chanda Kumari, a 20-year-old mother, holding her two-month-old baby in her arms as she waited in the sun to catch a glimpse of the chief minister.

Such scenes reflect the sense of hope attached to Kumar’s visits, with many citizens hoping that direct talks can bring relief.

minority anxiety

While women’s supporters are concerned about the future of welfare programmes, a section of the Muslim community appears disappointed with Kumar’s decision to enter national politics.

Mohammad Yusuf, who runs a tractor repair shop in Katihar district, said he did not attend the Chief Minister’s rally despite living a few kilometers away.

“Bihar needs Kumar more than Delhi,” he said, suggesting the move could change the political balance in the state.

MD Khaliq, a businessman who runs a tractor spare parts business near DS College in Katihar, expressed similar sentiments, saying the decision feels like a betrayal of the mandate.

Others appear detached from the political debate. Mazar Alam, a 24-year-old graduate from the same district, said he had little interest in politics.

For some minority residents, memories of past communal tensions continue to shape their concerns about future political leadership in the state.

Amid speculation over the political future of Bihar, Kumar’s party leaders have publicly praised his leadership during the Samriddhi Yatra.

Minister of state Leshi Singh became emotional while speaking about him at a rally in Purnia, while Social Welfare Minister Madan Sahni described him as the enduring “hero of Bihar”.

Yet the most shocking aspect of the unfolding political developments is Kumar’s own silence. Throughout the tour, he refrained from publicly addressing his Rajya Sabha nomination or clarifying his future political plans.

The ambiguity has left party leaders, supporters and political observers speculating about the next phase of Bihar politics – and whether the state is witnessing the beginning of a post-Nitish era.

For the millions of women whose social and economic mobility have been shaped by programs linked to their leadership, the uncertainty is particularly deep.

As Anita Kumari quietly says in Khagaria:

“Jeevika trusted Nitish ji.”