Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav’s pre-poll promise to provide “a government job for every household” if his party is voted to power in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections has sparked varied responses among the electorate.
While some have dismissed the pledge as a “poll gimmick,” others remain hopeful that it could lead to tangible improvements in employment, a critical issue in Bihar, where large-scale out-migration for work is prevalent due to high unemployment.
Yadav, the RJD’s chief ministerial candidate, recently announced that a formal declaration regarding this promise would be made “within 20 days of government formation”, with the implementation of the jobs scheme targeted for completion within 20 months. However, opinions on the feasibility of this ambitious pledge differ widely among Bihar residents.
Rehan Khan, a resident of Phulwari Sharif on the outskirts of Patna, expressed scepticism, stating, “This is a mere poll gimmick. The NDA has been working on the ground for the overall development of the state, rather than floating unrealistic promises.” Similarly, Md Sheru, a tile shop worker, remarked, “But we, as Muslims, have very little option beyond the RJD,” while questioning the practicality of providing a government job to every household.
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Ashok Kumar Rai, who operates a cement shop in the same area, expressed cautious optimism about potential employment improvements under an RJD government but remained uncertain about the promise’s deliverability. Rajesh Kumar, a paan shop owner on Bailey Road, was more critical, questioning, “From where will he bring such a massive number of jobs? From his home?” He dismissed such promises as typical election rhetoric and expressed a desire for a “non-BJP alternative in the state.”
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Md Ansari from Patna’s Mithapur area also voiced doubts about the pledge but highlighted his community’s loyalty to RJD leader Lalu Yadav, stating, “We have a huge regard for Lalu Yadav. He is someone whom we can bank upon.” Amrish Kumar Puri, a self-proclaimed ardent RJD supporter from Chitkohra, similarly rejected the feasibility of the “one government job in each household” promise.
The scale of Yadav’s commitment is underscored by Bihar’s November 2023 caste survey, which reported approximately 2.97 crore families in the state, while the number of existing government jobs stands at just 26.5 lakh. This significant gap highlights the enormous challenge the RJD faces in fulfilling such a promise.
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