Travelling across the Rajendra Setu over the Ganga, one crosses over from Mokama in Patna district to Begusarai, once known as the “Leningrad of Bihar”. A road turns right at Bihat, heading towards the village of Rachiyahi, where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to address the second of his five public meetings of the day.

Scores of women make their way to the rally venue in the Matihani Assembly constituency. Several of them belong to self-help groups (SHGs) better known as “Jeevikas”. Ask them about the “Dashazari Yojana” — the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana under which one eligible woman from each family will receive an initial financial aid of Rs 10,000 to start an income-generating activity of her choice — and most say they have received the money, while others are hopeful of g

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