Ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav, who is the Mahagathbandhan's chief ministerial candidate, discussed his campaign promises and political challenges in an interview. He defended his promise of providing one government job per family, calling employment creation an economic investment rather than a cost. Yadav emphasized that jobs would come mainly from expanding social sectors like health and education. He distinguished his party's welfare schemes from what he called the National Democratic Alliance's election-time political manipulation, particularly criticizing their one-time payment offers to women. Yadav maintained that his proposed monthly assistance of two thousand five hundred rupees per woman under the Mai Bahan Maan Yojana would be more sustainable. He addressed friendly contests within the Mahagathbandhan alliance in eleven seats, explaining that Bihar's complexity requires different approaches in different constituencies. Yadav dismissed recent criminal charges framed against him and his family in the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation case as politically motivated witch-hunt. He also responded to Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor, calling him merely a media creation and consultant without grassroots connect. Yadav criticized Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's twenty-year tenure, questioning the outcomes despite claims of a double engine government. He said decisions now appear to be made from Delhi rather than Bihar. On personal matters, he accepted his elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav contesting against his candidate as part of democratic choice.
Jobs and Economic Vision for Bihar
Tejashwi Yadav centered his campaign on employment generation, repeating that jobs remain Bihar's primary need. He recalled the overwhelming response to his promise of ten lakh jobs in 2020, and noted that about five lakh jobs were delivered when he served as Deputy Chief Minister between August 2022 and January 2024. His current promise of one government job per family has drawn criticism about financial viability, but Yadav argued that job creation should be viewed as an economic engine, not an expense. He explained that his team has consulted experts on implementation and costs. The focus would be on social sectors, especially health and education, which would generate large-scale employment while strengthening schools, healthcare centers, water supply, and electricity infrastructure. This approach, he said, would have a multiplier effect on overall development. Yadav also expressed his desire to address migration in phases, wanting Bihar's youth to stay and build their home state rather than leave for work elsewhere.
Welfare Schemes and Alliance Politics
Yadav rejected calling welfare measures doles, insisting they are necessary interim relief while long-term reforms take effect. He contrasted his proposed Mai Bahan Maan Yojana, offering two thousand five hundred rupees monthly to each woman, with the National Democratic Alliance's one-time payment of ten thousand rupees to over a crore women, which he labeled political manipulation. He argued people cannot wait for bigger reforms when struggling with basic needs, emphasizing human dignity and immediate survival. Regarding the Mahagathbandhan's internal dynamics, Yadav acknowledged friendly fights in eleven seats but maintained that Bihar's complexity requires recognizing local factors and varied aspirations in different constituencies. He said the Congress and Vikassheel Insaan Party brought their own strengths and perspectives. While each ally fought for their choice of seats, they remained united against the real opponent. He promised that if his alliance wins, representation would reflect Bihar's diversity, with decisions made collectively rather than for political gains.
Political Rivals and Personal Attacks
When asked about the IRCTC case where charges were recently framed against him and family members, Yadav called it relentless witch-hunt lacking substance. He said the National Democratic Alliance uses central agencies as weapons when unable to defeat opponents politically, noting his father Lalu Prasad faced similar treatment before him. He expressed full faith in the judiciary. Responding to Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor, Yadav dismissed him as a media creation and consultant who works behind scenes for whoever pays, without concrete contributions to Bihar. He said real politics involves connecting with people and delivering solutions, not just appearing during elections with clever statements. On questions about his educational qualifications, Yadav acknowledged that degrees matter but insisted knowledge does not come only from them, explaining he left studies to pursue cricket. He defended his and his father's track record, noting Lalu Prasad led a social revolution for historically marginalized communities. Regarding his elder brother Tej Pratap contesting against his candidate, Yadav respected it as democratic choice.
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