India, Oct. 5 -- Ahead of the Bihar elections, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Congress-led Mahagathbandhan or Grand Alliance are showering, or promising to shower sops galore to win over the voters.

The NDA last week launched the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, with Rs 10,000 direct bank transfers (DBTs) into over 75 lakh bank accounts, while the Grand Alliance is promising a 10-point programme focused on education and employment reservation for the economically backward classes (EBCs).

The NDA has dubbed the DBT of the Nitish Kumar-led government to over 75 lakh women as the "Brahmastra". The scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy, Samrat ...