New Delhi, Nov. 2 -- On board a local bus from Araria to Saharsa in the northeastern part of Bihar, on NH 231, Rajiv Kumar, a resident of Kishanpur village in Supaul district, says it is too early to predict the outcome of the assembly election.

As our bus crosses Raniganj, Kumar says he, however, is certain about one thing: "Mahilaen to Nitish ko hi vote denge (women will vote for Nitish Kumar for sure)," Kumar tells this reporter as the bus stopped for a break on 28 October, the day Chhath Puja celebrations ended in Bihar.

He refers to the ' Rs.10,000 Jeevika Didi' scheme. "Ghar toot jayega, but vote NDA ko hi jayega (Even if families break, women will vote for NDA only)," Kumar, a government employee, said.

The Jeevika Didi scheme i...