As Bihar gears up for the assembly elections, the campaign trail is heating up, and Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, the chief ministerial candidate of the INDIA bloc, has stepped into the spotlight with a clear vision. Speaking to TOI, Tejashwi outlined his roadmap to transform Bihar into India’s number one state, with jobs for every family, economic justice, and inclusive growth at its core.
‘Our Vision Is a Bihar Where No One Has to Leave Home to Earn a Living’
Tejashwi Yadav’s message is direct, development must reach every doorstep in Bihar. “We have taken an oath to make Bihar the number one state in the country,” he said, adding that the focus is on creating a self-sufficient state where “no Bihari brother or sister has to migrate in search of work or opportunities.”
His plan includes reviving defunct jute mills, setting up food processing units, developing IT parks and SEZs, and making Bihar an educational hub. He aims to ensure that students no longer need to move to cities like Kota for coaching, and that healthcare within the state matches national standards. “We want good hospitals so that people don’t have to travel outside Bihar for treatment,” he added.
The RJD leader also highlighted Bihar’s untapped tourism potential, from religious and heritage tourism to general tourism. “Bihar has immense potential. We want to promote it as a major destination for both domestic and international tourists,” he said, stressing that the response from the public “has been overwhelmingly positive.”
‘We Will Turn the Impossible into Possible’: On Promise of Government Jobs for Every Family
One of Tejashwi Yadav’s boldest promises is to ensure at least one government job per family, a claim critics call financially unfeasible. But he remains firm.
“People said it was impossible when we promised 10 lakh jobs last time. Yet, during my 17 months as deputy chief minister, we provided around five lakh jobs,” he asserted. Between August 2022 and January 2024, his government created roughly 3.5 lakh positions annually and regularised over four lakh contractual teachers.
Tejashwi emphasised that the promise is backed by expert consultation and a detailed blueprint. “We don’t make announcements without research. Every promise we make is pra ..
‘BJP Has No Vision for Bihar; Everything Is in Gujarat’
When asked about the development agendas of the INDIA bloc and the NDA, Tejashwi took sharp aim at his rivals. “The NDA has no vision for Bihar. They set up factories and SEZs in Gujarat, hold investor meetings there, and even build international stadiums there,” he said.
He criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s earlier remark that Bihar lacks land for industries, calling it proof of the BJP’s lack of will to develop ..
‘Nitish Kumar Has Become a Puppet; BJP Runs the Government’
Tejashwi Yadav didn’t hold back when discussing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership. He described Kumar as “a puppet” of the BJP, claiming that “the real power lies with Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.”
He recalled how Nitish once rejected aid from Modi’s Gujarat government and cut political ties over ideological differences. “This is the same Nitish Kumar who once refused a Rs 5 crore flood relief donation from Gujarat. Today, he’s reduced to a figurehead,” Tejashwi remarked, adding that Nitish’s current condition “evokes sympathy rather than rivalry.”
‘RJD Has Always Been Inclusive, We Belong to Everyone’
Tejashwi Yadav dismissed the perception that the RJD primarily relies on the Muslim-Yadav vote base, saying the party has always championed inclusivity. “No government has given as much representation to upper castes or EBCs as Laluji’s government,” he said, pointing out how leaders like Bhagwati Devi from the Musahar community rose to prominence under RJD rule.
“The RJD is a party for everyone. People may leave, but they eventually return because they know the party truly belongs to all,” he said, claiming that the narrow margin in the 2020 polls showed widespread support across communities.
‘Women Have Woken Up’: RJD’s Strategy to Win Over Female Voters
Known for their strong support for Nitish Kumar, women voters are a key focus for the INDIA bloc this time. Tejashwi claimed that women have “woken up” to the failures of the current government.
He accused the NDA of trying to “bribe women” with a Rs 10,000 payout before the elections, contrasting it with the RJD’s ‘Mai Bahin Maan Yojana’, which promises Rs 2,500 per month to empower women financially. “They are panicking because women are drifting away from them,” he said, questioning why the Election Commission hasn’t intervened in what he called “an election-time bribe.”
‘Nitish Will Not Be CM Again; BJP Wants Its Own Chief Minister’
Tejashwi Yadav predicted that the NDA will sideline Nitish Kumar even if it wins. “Amit Shah and the BJP are clear, Nitish Kumar will not be CM again,” he said, comparing the situation to Maharashtra’s Eknath Shinde. “The BJP wants its own CM in Bihar, but that ambition will never be fulfilled,” he added.
He also claimed that the JD(U) “will not survive after the elections,” saying that its members will split between the BJP and RJD once the results are out.
‘Jungle Raj’ Tag Is Propaganda; Lalu Yadav Brought Social Justice
Responding to the long-standing “jungle raj” label, Tejashwi dismissed it as propaganda by opponents. “Laluji brought social justice to Bihar, he made everyone equal and gave respect to all communities. Those who felt entitled by birth disliked this equality,” he said, adding that true superiority comes from “one’s actions, not one’s caste.”
‘Now Is the Time for Economic Justice’
For Tejashwi Yadav, the next phase of Bihar’s growth must focus on “economic justice.” He accused the Modi government of failing to curb inflation and create jobs. “Since 2014, prices have skyrocketed, while incomes have stagnated. Small factories are shutting down and the middle class is struggling,” he said.
He promised a model where every household has a stable income source, small and medium industries thrive, and local businesses are revived. “This is about dignity and opportunity, that is what economic justice means,” he said.
‘No Rift in INDIA Bloc, Just Media Hype’
Tejashwi denied any internal differences within the INDIA bloc, saying that reports of seat disputes were exaggerated. “We are united and strong. Friendly fights in some seats are strategic, not signs of division,” he said, adding that similar arrangements in Jharkhand and Jammu & Kashmir yielded positive results.
He expressed confidence that the Congress, an RJD ally, would perform better than in 2020. “We’ve carefully chosen candidates based on winnability,” he said, noting that all partners worked collectively on the selection process.
‘Every Party Has a Right to Exist, Even My Brother’s’
On his elder brother’s decision to launch a separate party, Tejashwi maintained composure. “This is democracy. Everyone has the right to form a party and contest elections,” he said, admitting that “it would have been better if things had not turned out this way,” but adding that he’s focused on the larger mission ahead.
‘Our Fight Is Against Unemployment, Not Individuals’
When asked about political rivals like Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj movement, Tejashwi brushed off concerns. “We don’t care who is forming what. Our fight is against unemployment,” he said, emphasising that his mission is to “make Bihar India’s number one state.”
He also confirmed that if the INDIA bloc forms the government, there will be two deputy chief ministers, with one likely representing the Muslim community. “The final decision will be taken collectively by the alliance,” he said.
Source Name : Economic Times