The Bihar unit of the Indian National Congress said it will distribute free sanitary-pad packs to about 500,000 women across the state as part of its women-outreach programme ahead of the 2025 assembly election. The packets carry the photograph of Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and promote the party’s “Mai-Behan Maan” or “Priyadarshini Udaan” schemes, which also pledge a ₹2,500 monthly stipend for women from low-income families. State Congress president Rajesh Ram said Mahila Congress volunteers will use the campaign to raise awareness of menstrual hygiene and other health issues. He argued that party leaders commonly feature on publicly funded welfare material and questioned why images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi appear in ruling-party offices if opposition faces are deemed inappropriate. The initiative drew immediate backlash from rival parties. Bharatiya Janata Party spokespersons called the decision "insulting" and "disgusting", while Janata Dal (United) spokesman Neeraj Kumar said it showed "ideological bankruptcy". Union minister Chirag Paswan said giving pads was positive but using Gandhi’s image could make recipients uncomfortable. Congress leaders, including national Mahila Congress chief Alka Lamba, dismissed the criticism as evidence that the National Democratic Alliance is "anti-women" and said the ruling coalition had failed to provide comparable support.