SAMASTIPUR, Nov. 4 -- Women hold the key to election in Bihar as they vote aggressively, often in larger number than men, and also because they have more presence in the migration-hit society. That's why all political parties are lining up string of promises to woo them. Samastipur in North Bihar is also set to witness which way the women wind will flow as they will decide the fate of both the NDA and the INDIA bloc. Women voice echoes in every locale of the constituency. Septuagenarian Chandrakala Devi sums it up with total innocence outside Samastipur collectorate, as she engages in a conversation with Pramila Devi and others, when approached to know their preferences for this election. "Who should we vote for? Nitishji has increased pension to Rs.1,100 and Modiji has been providing 5 kg of food grains every month. Who else should we vote for? Who cares for the poor, but they at least did. I hope both are the same," Chandrakala Devi said, without referring to any candidate, but with a rider that her daughters had so far not got Rs.10,000 despite being enrolled with Jeevika and was curious to know the prospects. Pramila Devi, 65, clarified that her son had told them that Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi were together and they would vote for their symbols. "They are the ones who matter. How can we not vote for the one who has done something for us. We have seen many over the years," she said, declaring her choice without any qualms, and also assuring Chandrakala Devi that Rs.10,000 each to her daughters might be on its way. The incentives announced for women ahead of election seemed to have touched the right chord with them, a factor that perhaps prompted the RJD to lodge a complaint with the Election Commission about violation of the model code of conduct by the Bihar government it ordered direct cash transfer of Rs.10,000 to beneficiaries of Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana. The fact, however, is that the increased pension and Rs.10,000 have worked and raised expectations laced with concerns over the delay for others. But with bigger deals on offer from other parties, like RJD's proposed 'Mai-Bahin Yojana', there is another section not averse to trying that option also. "True, Nitishji has given, but only at the time of election. Tejashwi is also offering Rs.2,500/month if his government is formed. I had also filled the form. I also got the card from Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) offering Rs.20,000. Had Nitish done this much earlier, it would have been different. Nitish Kunar has been there for a long time, and now Tejashwi should also get opportunity. How long they will keep giving and that will be not enough. Here people need employment and education so that they could earn for themselves," said Ram Nandan, 65, a roadside vendor, and Ram Naresh, a migrant labourer. Parvati Devi interjected instantly. "Others are only promising, but Nitish Kumar has already given. He has done development also. Now there is electricity and road. My vote will go to Kamal or Teer (symbols of the BJP and the JD(U)," she added. As one moves around, one thing is striking -- party symbols and big faces take precedence over candidates and the elections are mostly polarised, with little middle ground. In an otherwise sway of the NDA in Mithilanchal in 2020, Samastipur has been a challenge and the unpredictability of the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP), which is doing vigorous campaigning, has added a twist, as nobody knows which way it will hurt and to what extent. Adding to the suspense is the fear of the enemy from within. In 2020 Assembly election, the NDA and the Grand Alliance (GA) had won five seats each. While JD(U) won the Sarain Ranjan, Warisnagar and Kalyanpur seats, BJP won in Rosera and Mohiuddinnagar. RJD got the Ujiarpur, Morwa, Hasanpur and Samastipur seats, while Vibhutipur seat had gone to the CPM. This time JD(U) is contesting 7 of the 10 seats and stakes are high for the party. While JD(U) minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary is trying for his sixth term from Sarairanjan, Aktarul Islam Sahin of the RJD is trying to extend his winning streak to four in Samastipur and is facing JD(U)'s Ashwamedh Devi. JD-U has fielded Ravina Kushwaha, wife of Ram Balak Kushwaha, from Vibhutipur to snatch the seat from CPM. Ram Balak Kushwaha had won the seat in 2010 and 2015, but lost in 2020 to Ajay Kumar by a big margin. From Kalyanpur another JD(U) minister Maheshwar Hazari is trying for a hat-trick., while in Warisnagar Ashok Kumar of the JD-U wants to make four in a row. In Hasanpur, RJD has replaced Tej Pratap Yadav, who formed his own party after expulsion and is contesting from Mahua, with Mala Pushpam, while JD(U) has fielded 2020 runners up and 2015 winner Raj Kumar Rai, and Indu Devi is from JSP. in Samastipur district it was BJP's Virendra Kumar, who created a record by winning by the highest margin of over 35,000 votes from Rosera and is again in fray. The only other seat the BJP won in Samastipur was from Mohuddinagar and the 2020 winner Rajesh Kumar is pitted against RJD's Ejya Yadav, who won in 2015. In Ujiarpur, former MP and sitting RJD MLA Alok Mehta is in the fray again, while NDA candidate is Rashtriya Lok Morcha's Prashant Kumar Pankaj. Last time BJP had contested the seat. In Morwa also, RJD's 2020 winner Ranvijay Sahu and JD(U)'s Vidya Sagar Nishad are again locked in a repeat contest. JD-U had won rhe seat in 2010 also, but JSP's Jagriti Thakur, the grand daughter of socialist icon Karpoori Thakur, is working hard in the area to make the battle interesting. "Election in Samastipur is a test for both NDA and the INDIA bloc, as both would like to improve their tally, but the impact of players like JSP and other parties as well as independents can be crucial on some seats. The social equation, with Dalits, extremely backward classes and Muslims forming the core and Yadavs, Kushwahas, Brahmins and Rajputs having significant numbers, is such that the election would be keenly contested," said social analyst Ujjwal Kumar....