Patna, 4 July

The Congress in Bihar on Friday said it would distribute free sanitary napkins among 5 lakh women, but ended up drawing flak from the ruling NDA over photographs of Rahul Gandhi on the packets.

State Congress chief Rajesh Kumar announced the launch of the drive at BPCC headquarters Sadaqat Ashram, where women's wing national president Alka Lamba was also present.

"This drive is in line with the promise of Rs 2,500 monthly stipend under the Mai Bahin Samman Yojana that INDIA bloc would implement upon coming to power. We intend to provide free sanitary napkins", said the BPCC chief, who also displayed packets containing the free pads.

JD(U) MLC and spokesman Neeraj Kumar took strong exception to photographs of Gandhi on the packets and alleged "the Congress seems to have taken a leaf out of the book of its ally RJD, which has been known for a lumpen style of politics".

He added, "Our leader Nitish Kumar has been tirelessly working for women's empowerment and the results are for all to see. But the Congress has insulted the dignity of women".

Echoing similar views, BJP spokesman Kuntal Krishna alleged, "Whatever needs to be done for women in Bihar is being done by the government. But the Congress, which is worried about its prospects in the upcoming assembly polls, has shown its ideological bankruptcy. Its leader Rahul Gandhi has been notorious for lacking a sense of propriety. The trait seems to have afflicted the party, in which sycophancy reigns supreme".

Meanwhile, Lamba hit back with a post on X, saying, "In the modern era, the question is not why Rahul Gandhi's photos are there on the packets. The question is why our daughters in Bihar are still compelled to use pieces of cloth during their menstruation cycle, and fall ill. The BJP has always had an anti-women mindset".