Prashant Kishor alleges misuse of ‘Jeevika Didis’ in Bihar bypolls

Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) chief Prashant Kishor on Sunday accused the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-led Bihar government of exploiting women from the Jeevika self-help group network, popularly known as ‘Jeevika Didis’, during campaigning for the ongoing by-elections.

Kishor, who is also the JSP candidate from the Bankipur assembly constituency, alleged that members of the ruling alliance were using administrative machinery to influence voters. He warned that if corrective action is not taken within 24 hours, he would stage a sit-in protest outside the Election Commission’s office.

“Even the Patna District Magistrate is misusing Jeevika Didis via tweets. We have already met the Election Commission twice to lodge complaints, and we are going to complain again today,” Kishor said.

He further alleged that voters were being intimidated with threats of losing government benefits if they did not support NDA candidates. “If Jeevika Didis are not removed from the election process within 24 hours, we will protest outside the Election Commission’s office. The BJP is afraid, which is why the administration is harassing our workers,” he added.

Echoing similar concerns, JSP state president Manoj Bharti accused the BJP and its allies of harassment ahead of the Bankipur bypoll. “Our workers are being harassed in the middle of the night, and our posters are being forcibly removed. We have complained to the Election Commission twice, but no action has been taken. This time, we will not remain silent,” he said.

‘Jeevika Didis’ refers to women associated with self-help groups under JEEViKA, the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project, a World Bank-supported initiative aimed at empowering rural women economically and socially.

Meanwhile, Kishor also reacted to the arrest of Janshakti Janta Dal (JJD) chief Tej Pratap Yadav, who was detained on Saturday night before he could campaign for him in the Bankipur by-election. Yadav was later produced before an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate and sent to Beur Jail in judicial custody.

The JJD leader has been accused of inciting violence during the ‘Bihar Bandh’ held on January 25. Police arrested him at a mall in Patna late Saturday night as part of the ongoing investigation.

Commenting on the development, Kishor said that everyone has the right to protest in a democracy. “Anyone who stands up for public issues is welcome,” he said.

Earlier, Yadav had extended his support to Kishor in the Bankipur contest, urging voters to back him and calling for broader opposition unity.

The Election Commission has not yet issued any official response to the allegations.

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