The BJP-JDU-led NDA in Bihar criticised RJD leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday over his fresh poll promises to Jeevika Didis and contractual workers, calling them hollow and misleading.
Earlier today (October 22), Tejashwi Yadav announced that Jeevika Didis, community mobilisers working under the state’s livelihood mission, would be made permanent government employees if the Mahagathbandhan forms the next government. He also promised to raise their monthly salary to Rs 30,000 and termed the NDA’s ‘Mai Bahin Maan Yojana’ a “pre-poll bribe”.
Addressing the media later in the day, former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tarkishore Prasad accused Tejashwi Yadav of misleading voters ahead of the assembly elections. “The people of Bihar have decided to ensure that the RJD and the Mahagathbandhan — which we also call ‘thagbandhan’ — do not come to power. His announcements are not going to impact the people or the elections in Bihar,” Prasad said.
BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi alleged that RJD’s governance would only bring corruption and chaos. “Tejashwi ji should stop joking with the people of Bihar,” Trivedi remarked. “After Nitish Kumar’s government came to power, several schemes for women’s empowerment — from Har Ghar Sauchalaya and Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao to Mudra Yojana, Lakhpati Didi and Drone Didi — have transformed lives. For women empowerment, NDA and Nitish ji have a methodical, consistent and pragmatic approach.”
Taking a jibe at Tejashwi’s earlier poll pitch of “10 lakh jobs”, Trivedi added, “He said he will give 10 lakh jobs but its actual meaning is that they will give a job for Rs 10 lakh. Like earlier, when they took land for jobs, now they will take houses and property.”
Senior JDU leader KC Tyagi echoed similar views, claiming that all of Tejashwi’s promises were already implemented under Nitish Kumar’s leadership. “Whether it’s women’s reservation, empowerment, livelihood or education — the Bihar government has already fulfilled all these commitments,” Tyagi said.
BJP leader Ajay Alok launched a scathing attack on Yadav, calling his statements hypocritical. “The most corrupt person, who is out on bail in a corruption case, is talking about corruption? In 15 years of Lalu-Rabri rule, Bihar hadn’t even heard the ‘J’ of Jeevika, and today he remembers Jeevika? RJD’s Jeevika is loot, murder, illegal liquor and sand business,” Alok said, adding that the RJD would “not even get 21 seats this time”.