RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, reiterating his pledge not to implement the Waqf (Amendment) Act after being elected to power in Bihar, announced plans to establish the Seemanchal Development Authority to ensure the overall development of the poverty-stricken region comprising the Purnia, Araria, Kishanganj, and Katihar districts.
Addressing election rallies in support of RJD candidates in the Seemanchal region on Sunday, Tejashwi alleged that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had made no efforts to develop the Muslim-dominated areas. He accused him of aiding communal forces in Bihar, enabling the RSS and its affiliates to spread hatred in the state.
The RJD leader asserted that his father, Lalu Prasad, had never compromised with communal forces in the country.
Earlier, he made a series of poll promises aimed at Panchayat representatives and the Extremely Backward Communities (EBCs). He announced that the honorarium for three-tier Panchayat and Gram Kachahri representatives would be doubled. In addition, former Panchayat and Gram Kachahri representatives will receive pension benefits, and all such representatives will be covered under a Rs 50 lakh insurance policy.
Tejashwi also said that hardworking communities such as barbers, potters, carpenters, and blacksmiths would be provided interest-free financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each for five years to promote economic upliftment and self-employment. The beneficiaries can use this amount to purchase modern tools and equipment to start or expand their self-employment ventures.
He further announced that Public Distribution System (PDS) dealers would now receive a fixed honorarium, and the margin money per quintal of grain would be increased. The existing “58-year age limit” for compassionate appointments in the PDS would also be abolished.
“This is an election to build a new Bihar. Just as stagnant water begins to rot, and as a field sown with the same seed for 20 years becomes barren, in the same way, this two-decade-old government has destroyed two generations of Bihar,” he said.
The INDIA bloc’s chief ministerial candidate dismissed the NDA’s claim of internal rifts within the alliance. He countered them saying he had been campaigning with VIP chief Mukesh Sahani, and added that Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi would join the campaign soon.
Tejashwi also said that a meeting of alliance partners had been held to discuss the joint manifesto, which would be released shortly.