Patna: As Bihar gears up for assembly elections next year, Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav is already rallying voters with a series of bold election promises. Following his recent commitment to provide 200 units of free electricity if his party forms the government, Tejashwi has now pledged to establish the ‘Mithila Development Authority’ (MDA) to promote the region’s growth.
Currently on his Samvad Yatra (worker dialogue tour), Tejashwi visited Madhubani after stops in Samastipur and Darbhanga. Addressing his supporters, he stated, “The NDA’s double-engine government has been in power in Bihar for 20 years, but they have failed to do anything significant for the Mithila region. If we come to power, we will establish the Mithila Development Authority. This will be a game changer for the comprehensive development of Mithila.”
Tejashwi’s promise drew sharp criticism from the BJP. Party spokesperson Kuntal Krishna responded, “The man whose parents created a ‘loot authority’ in Bihar is now speaking of development. Tejashwi should instead tour Bihar to apologize for their governance failures.”
Tejashwi, during his address, also highlighted his party’s achievements during its 17-month tenure. “We delivered four road-over-bridges (ROBs) and improved roads in Darbhanga and Madhubani. AIIMS was shifted to Shobhan Bypass, and other development projects were approved. Yet, NDA MPs and MLAs have done little to uplift this region,” he said. He also criticized the high cost of flights from Darbhanga Airport, stating, “A ticket from Darbhanga to Delhi costs so much, you could fly to Dubai with that money.”
The demand for better infrastructure and development in Mithila is not new. Tejashwi’s proposal comes in the wake of long-standing calls for the region to be made a separate state. Over the years, the demand for Mithila, which includes parts of North Bihar and Seemanchal, to have its own authority or even statehood has gained momentum, with many citing the region’s cultural and historical significance.
RJD spokesperson Rishi Mishra backed Tejashwi’s vision, stating, “If the Mithila Development Authority is created, it will address the economic and social challenges of the region, bringing much-needed prosperity.”
Earlier this week, while addressing a rally in Samastipur, Tejashwi also promised to provide 200 units of free electricity if his party wins the election. “People are struggling with high electricity bills and costly prepaid meters. Bihar has the most expensive electricity in the country. We will bring change and build a new Bihar,” he told the media.
As the election campaign heats up, Tejashwi’s promises are setting the stage for a highly charged political battle between the RJD and the ruling NDA in the coming months.
