Ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has launched a pointed critique against Tejashwi Yadav, the prominent leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), accusing him of making hollow promises and engaging in ‘jumlebaazi’ to garner votes.
Dilip Jaiswal, the President of Bihar BJP, directly accused the Mahagathbandhan and its chief ministerial candidate of making unrealistic pledges, knowing they are unlikely to win. He described their current campaign efforts as mere ‘drama’ that has begun only after they accepted their impending defeat. Jaiswal highlighted a pattern where INDIA bloc leaders, including Congress and RJD, focus on public issues only when they are in opposition.
Jitan Ram Manjhi, a Union Minister and the leader of Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), concurred with Jaiswal. He stated that the people of Bihar possess sufficient political awareness to discern genuine governance from mere rhetoric. Manjhi suggested that Yadav has a history of deceiving the public and pointed to the Lok Sabha election strategy where narratives about the Constitution’s safety were used, albeit with limited success.
Manjhi further alleged that the Mahagathbandhan’s claims are baseless and politically motivated. He warned that if the opposition coalition were to assume power, they would fail to deliver on their promises and would likely blame the central government for any lack of funds or progress. He expressed certainty that the electorate of Bihar would not fall prey to such tactics again.
Samrat Choudhary, Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister and an NDA candidate, contrasted the opposition’s verbal promises with the NDA’s track record of delivery. He emphasized that true democracy is about action, not just words, and highlighted the commitment of the Modi-Nitish Kumar government to its pledges. Choudhary characterized the NDA as a force of action against the RJD’s emphasis on talk.
The NDA’s criticism comes in the wake of Yadav’s recent election pledges. These include significant increases in honorariums and allowances for panchayat representatives, a new pension scheme, and substantial insurance benefits. He also promised interest-free loans to support traditional artisans and craftsmen from marginalized communities, aiming to foster self-employment and economic independence. Yadav expressed optimism about Bihar’s desire for change, seeking a mandate to transform the state within 20 months.
Meanwhile, political strategist Prashant Kishor, now leading the Jan Suraaj movement, made a veiled jab at Yadav’s public image, questioning the narrative of him being a ‘hero’ when those perceived to have damaged Bihar hold such titles. The Jan Suraaj party is presenting itself as a third alternative in the electoral contest. The Bihar Assembly elections are slated for November 6 and 11, with results on November 14.