Former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi on Monday led a demonstration outside the state legislative council, demanding cheaper cooking gas, free electricity, and enhanced social security measures for women.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader, who also serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council, staged the protest alongside party colleagues just hours before the Nitish Kumar-led government presented the state budget in the assembly.
Key demands: Subsidised LPG, free electricity, and women’s support
During the protest, Rabri Devi criticised the government’s policies, emphasising the urgent need for financial relief for the state’s women and underprivileged communities.
"The government must provide poor women with a monthly stipend of ₹2,500. Additionally, LPG cylinders should be further subsidised so that they cost Rs 500 instead of the current Rs 1,200," she said.
She also pushed for 200 units of free electricity per household each month, stating that her party would continue to pressurise the ruling government to meet these demands.
Also Read: Bihar govt tables ₹3.17 lakh cr budget
Tejashwi Yadav backs the demands
The protest comes a day after Tejashwi Yadav, Rabri Devi’s son and the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, raised similar demands during a press conference on Sunday.
Tejashwi Yadav, a former Deputy Chief Minister and the key face of the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan, warned that if the NDA government fails to announce these benefits in its final budget before the state elections, the opposition will implement them after forming the next government.
"If the NDA government does not fulfill these demands in this budget, we will ensure they are implemented when we come to power," Yadav asserted.
Also Read: Bihar to give electricity to 2.85L farmers by June
Political significance ahead of state elections
With Bihar’s assembly elections scheduled later this year, the protest highlights RJD’s strategy to mobilise voters, particularly women and lower-income households, by focusing on economic relief measures.
As the budget session unfolds, opposition parties are expected to intensify their attacks on the NDA government, making economic and social welfare a key election issue.
Also Read: Tejashwi Yadav slams Bihar govt, calls budget 'hollow'
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