India, Nov. 8 -- As Bihar enters the final phase of elections, state Congress chief and prominent Dalit leader of the Grand Alliance, Rajesh Kumar Ram, discusses the coalition's strategy to challenge the incumbent Nitish Kumar government in an interview with Saubhadra Chatterji. Edited excerpts:

Nitish Kumar is considered very popular among women voters. This time, women have received a Rs.10,000 loan under the Jeevika scheme. The old-age pension has also been increased to Rs.1,100.

The Mahagathbandhan has a better plan for women voters (Mai Behan Maan Yojana), and we are promising Rs.2,500 per month to every household. If you talk to any woman, she will say this Rs.10,000 loan has become a burden. I was campaigning in Majholi village a...