West Champaran: Tejashwi Yadav tore through a hectic campaign trail on Wednesday, addressing what he said would be 16 to 18 meetings in a single day as the Bihar election enters its frenetic final stretch. His first rally was held in Lauriya before he moved directly to Ramnagar, where his helicopter landed beside the venue.
Addressing supporters in Ramnagar, the RJD leader reiterated his flagship promise of providing employment opportunities “in every household” if the Grand Alliance forms the next government. He announced that Rs. 30,000 would be deposited into the accounts of “mothers and sisters” on 14 January, contrasting it with the current government’s scheme of providing Rs. 10,000 loans. “We do not want people to remain in debt,” he said.
In a line that drew loud cheers, Tejashwi told the crowd: “The job message will come on the same mobile phone with which you are recording right now.”
‘The 20-year-old regime must go’
Yadav said Bihar’s voters were determined to remove what he termed the “20-year-old tattered government”. He claimed the Grand Alliance was poised to form the next administration. “We will create a Bihar where people won’t have to leave for employment; where medicine, income and education are available here itself,” he said.
He also sharpened his attack on the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Modi sets up industries in Gujarat and then comes to Bihar to seek votes,” he said. “No Gujarati will run Bihar; only a son of Bihar will lead Bihar.”
‘Give us a chance, we’ll end unemployment’
Claiming that the previous Grand Alliance government created 500,000 jobs during its 17 months in power, Tejashwi promised to eliminate unemployment if returned to office. He said electricity for irrigation would be made free for farmers and promised the formation of Ramnagar as a district.
He appealed for support for RJD and Grand Alliance candidates including Renu Kushwaha (Bihariganj) and engineer Naveen Nishad (Alamnagar), insisting that their government would take all communities forward. “Hindus and Muslims, everyone will be included,” he said.
‘Nitish is being run from Delhi’
Tejashwi Yadav accused chief minister Nitish Kumar of having ceded control of governance. “Nitish Kumar is being run from Delhi. Modi and Shah control him remotely,” he said. “He cannot do anything for Bihar.”
