Assam: Women hug and kiss Himanta Biswa Sarma during campaign

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, during his Lok Sabha elections campaign, was seen receiving affectionate greetings from womenfolk of the state. 

The women were seen hugging and kissing the chief minister as the flamboyant attitude of Himanta Biswa Sarma was the centre of attraction amid the campaigning.

What could add another layer of love from the women's gender could be the multiple schemes which the BJP-led state government has initiated to empower rural women entrepreneurs.

Among women's orianted schemes- Orunodoi, could be regarded as the crown jewel of schemes.

A direct bank transfer scheme, Orunodoi targets women as the “primary caretakers of the household”. Only those whose composite household income is less than Rs 2 lakh per annum are eligible, however, now the state government is also mulling introducing the same scheme to the ration card holders of the state.

Also Read: Why Himanta Biswa Sarma says "I love you" to Muslim voters

Among the schemes, the state government also initiated the 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita' for women's self-help groups in rural areas in the state. 

Under this scheme, in the first year, the government will give an initial amount of Rs 10,000. In the 2nd year, the state government will give Rs 12,500 and the bank will give a loan amount of Rs 12,500 to the beneficiaries. The bank loan will have to be repaid by the beneficiary.

Last but not least, the Lakhpati Baideo Scheme is a program that aims to help 40 lakh women in Assam become rural microbusiness owners. 

The scheme provides a cash assistance of Rs 35,000 to women who want to start their own businesses, independent of the Self-Help Groups (SHGs) they are affiliated with. 

The program also supports women who want to become entrepreneurs independently of their SHGs. 

It's not uncommon for politicians, particularly those in certain cultural contexts, to receive physical displays of support like hugs and kisses during campaigns, however, such displays could indicate a strong base of support or personal connections Himanta Biswa Sarma has cultivated over time.