Election Battle: JMM's 'Samman Yojana' vs. BJP's 'Gogo Didi' Scheme

The JMM has approached the Election Commission to approve its 'Samman Yojana' in Jharkhand, offering financial aid to women. Amid assembly polls, the scheme counters BJP's 'Gogo Didi' initiative, which JMM claims violates election norms by collecting voter details under the guise of surveys.

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is challenging the BJP's election tactics by proposing the 'Samman Yojana', aimed at providing women with Rs 2,500 monthly, totaling Rs 30,000 annually. On Wednesday, JMM petitioned the Election Commission for approval of the scheme, citing election regulations that necessitate commission consent.

JMM general secretary Vinod Kumar Pandey criticized the BJP's 'Gogo Didi Yojana', claiming it illegally collects voter data by offering Rs 2,100 monthly and Rs 25,000 annually to women. This practice, according to Pandey, breaches the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which bans using surveys for political gain.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has instructed local authorities to take legal action against such violations. The political tussle underscores the tension in assembly elections, as both parties vie for the female vote without breaching electoral norms.

(With inputs from agencies.)