To counter what appeared to be a meticulously crafted NDA strategy, opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav, heading the Mahagathbandhan, announced his own set of promises, including a salary hike for Jeevika Didis and other welfare commitments.

Yadav also pledged enhanced cash transfers, employment support, and expanded benefits for members of women’s self-help groups, including Jeevika-didis, if voted to power. His campaign highlighted issues such as unemployment, rising prices, and the need for greater economic empowerment of women.

According to official data, over 1.74 crore women voters are eligible to cast their votes in the second phase of polling. A total of over 3.7 crore voters are expected to vote on Tuesday. The voters will decide who among the 1,302 candidates, including 136 women candidates, across 122 assembly constituencies is worthy of a seat. 19 constituencies have been reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates and two for Scheduled Tribe candidates.

In the second phase of polling, the BJP is contesting 53 seats, followed by the JD(U) on 44, LJP (RV) on 15, RLM on 4, and HAM on 6 seats. From the Mahagathbandhan side, the RJD, leading the alliance, is contesting 72 seats, the Congress on 37, the VIP on 10, and others on 5.