The Assam government has mobilised more than 5,000 lakhpati didis or baideos to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public rally in Guwahati on Sunday — a move aimed at “inspiring and wooing” women voters ahead of the Lok Sabha polls by showcasing the “empowerment of womenfolk” due to the Centre's scheme launched last year.
In Assamese, baideo translates to elder sister, akin to didi in Hindi.
The announcement to increase the number of lakhpati didis from two crore to three crore was a significant aspect of the interim budget unveiled by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday.
Sharing details of Modi's two-day visit to Guwahati, which includes a mega public meeting at Khanapara ground on Sunday, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma disclosed on Friday his government's efforts to ensure the participation of 5,000 lakhpati baideos at the rally, expected to draw over a lakh attendees, according to BJP leaders.
"We have requested the rural development department to facilitate the participation of 5,000 lakhpati baideos in the meeting as government delegates," Sarma stated on Friday.
Sarma noted that out of Assam's 40 lakh self-help group (SHG) members, six lakh have already attained the lakhpati status.
The emphasis on involving lakhpati didis at Modi's rally is geared towards highlighting the benefits extended to women through the central scheme, particularly with the Lok Sabha polls on the horizon, party sources revealed.
The move to connect with rural women carries significance, especially considering their overwhelming support for the BJP-led ruling alliance in the 2021 Assembly polls. This support was bolstered by the state government's announcement of a waiver for microfinance loans taken by SHG women members before the elections, a move that tipped the scales in favour of the BJP alliance against the Congress-led Opposition alliance.
Last year, Modi announced an empowerment scheme for rural women on August 15, aimed at encouraging them to launch micro-business ventures, enabling each woman to earn at least Rs 1 lakh annually through endeavours such as weaving, tailoring, plumbing, LED bulb-making, drone operation or repair and so on.
"The decision to waive micro-finance loans before the 2021 polls in Assam proved to be a game-changer. Similarly, highlighting the achievements of lakhpati baideos underscores the BJP's efforts to financially empower women nationwide," noted a BJP member.
