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Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Mahagathbandhan’s Chief Ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday pledged direct financial assistance to women under the proposed ‘Mai Behen Maan Yojana’, promising Rs 30,000 to each beneficiary on Makar Sankranti if his alliance forms the next government in Bihar.
Speaking at a press conference on the final day of campaigning for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, Yadav expressed confidence that the Mahagathbandhan would “uproot” the 20-year-old Janata Dal (United)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. He said the proposed welfare scheme would provide much-needed relief to women facing rising inflation.
“Multiple women are excited for the Maa Behen Maan Yojana we had announced, saying that they will get economic relief in this time of inflation. So we want to say that on the demands of our mothers and sisters, our government will be formed,” Yadav said.
“We all know Makar Sankranti is also coming; it happens on January 14. We will form the government, and under the Maa Behen Maan Yojana, we will deposit Rs 30,000 in the accounts of women, covering for the whole year.”
Explaining the structure of the scheme, he added, “In this time of inflation, they will get some economic relief. For five years, one will get Rs 1.5 lakh and for one year, Rs 30,000, which will be given on January 14.”
Yadav also reiterated a series of welfare promises for women associated with the World Bank-aided Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project (BRLP), known locally as Jeevika Didis.
He announced that his party would ensure Rs 2,000 per month for Jeevika Didis, provide them with Rs 5 lakh insurance coverage, and waive the interest on loans taken by women.
“We had said before too that the Jeevika Didis, who work day and night on the orders of the government but do not get anything in return, we will work to give them Rs 2,000 per month. Along with that, we will forgive the interest on loans taken by women. We will also work for giving Rs 5 lakh insurance to the women,” he said.
For government employees, Yadav assured that job postings would not be more than 70 kilometres from their home cadre, a move aimed at reducing the hardship of frequent transfers.
Targeting the ruling NDA, Yadav asserted that public sentiment in Bihar favours change.
“We have been campaigning across Bihar. This is the last day of campaigning for the first phase of the election. People are in the mood for a change. This time, the people of Bihar will uproot the government that has been in power for the last 20 years,” he said.
The RJD leader further declared that he would take oath as Chief Minister on November 18, saying, “Hum log jeet rahe hain, Bihar ki janta jita rahi hai. We will take the oath on 18th November.”
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The Mahagathbandhan, comprising the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, released its manifesto titled ‘Bihar Ka Tejashwi Pran’ on October 28. The document outlines key promises, including a law to provide government jobs to one member of every family within 20 days of forming the government.
According to the manifesto, under the Mai-Bahin Maan Yojana, women will receive Rs 2,500 per month starting December 1 for the next five years.
The alliance has also promised to reinstate the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), aligning with Congress’s stance that saw the scheme restored in Himachal Pradesh and included in its Haryana manifesto.
Additionally, the Mahagathbandhan vowed to put the Waqf (Amendment) Act on hold, pledging to make the management of Waqf properties “welfare-oriented and transparent.”
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, passed by Parliament earlier this year and assented to by the President on April 5, faced opposition from several parties.
In the upcoming Bihar elections, the main contest is between the NDA comprising the BJP, JD(U), HAMS, and LJP (RV) and the Mahagathbandhan, which includes the RJD, Congress, VIP, and Left parties.
Meanwhile, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj has also announced candidates for all 243 Assembly seats.
The two-phase elections are scheduled for November 6 and 11, with results to be declared on November 14.
