Will discuss Bihar pre-poll fund transfers to women with Oppn leaders: Sharad Pawar
Pune (PTI): NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar has said he intends to raise the issue of pre-election fund transfers to women under a government scheme in Bihar during his discussions with Opposition leaders.
His remarks came days after the ruling NDA secured a landslide victory in the Bihar elections by decimating the Opposition Mahagathbandhan bloc.
"The poll outcome turned out different from our expectations; however, one has to accept the mandate of the people. Everyone saw that in Maharashtra and Bihar, schemes like Ladki Bahin and direct benefit transfers of Rs 10,000 to women were rolled out just before the polls. Such things were never witnessed earlier," Pawar told reporters in Solapur on Sunday.
He was referring to the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, which provides money to a woman member of each family for setting up a business in Bihar.
Under the scheme, Rs 10,000 each was transferred to the bank accounts of women in Bihar ahead of the state polls.
Pawar said he had heard that money is distributed during local body elections, but a government providing Rs 10,000 directly to women ahead of the state elections is something new.
"If the deposition of Rs 10,000 was the reason behind the (NDA's victory in) Bihar elections, then we need to think over it. The Parliament session is scheduled to start on December 1. During this period, we will discuss this issue by bringing together key Opposition leaders and chalk out a response. At least, I am thinking in this direction," he said.
Earlier, Pawar had wondered how the Election Commission allowed the distribution of funds during the poll process in Bihar.
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RCB beat MI by 18 runs after batters fire
Mumbai (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli blasted half-centuries as the defending champions beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in an Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.
Salt (78 off 36 balls) and Kohli (50 off 38 balls) stitched together a 120-run stand for the opening wicket before Patidar scored a rapid 53 off just 20 balls as RCB posted 240 for 4.
In response, Mumbai Indians were restricted to 222 for 5, with RCB spinner Suyash Sharma (2/47) putting the skids on the home side with a double strike in the eighth over, from which they could not recover.
Sherfane Rutherford top-scored for MI with an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls.
While opener Rohit Sharma appeared to be struggling with a hamstring issue and had to retire hurt on 19, his partner Ryan Rickelton made 37, while Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (40) were the other contributors for MI.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 240 for 4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 78, Virat Kohli 50, Rajat Patidar 53, Tim David 35 not out).
Mumbai Indians: 222 for 5 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 71 not out, Ryan Rickelton 37, Hardik Pandya 40; Suyash Sharma 2/47).
