In a significant election promise that has set the political stage abuzz in Bihar, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav has committed to providing ₹30,000 monthly salaries to Jeevika didis if his party comes to power. However, the young leader notably sidestepped questions about the financial viability of this ambitious scheme.
The Grand Promise
Addressing an enthusiastic crowd during his election campaign, Yadav declared, "We will provide ₹30,000 monthly salary to Jeevika didis." The announcement was met with thunderous applause from supporters, particularly women associated with the Jeevika program, a poverty reduction initiative of the Bihar government.
The Unanswered Question
When journalists pressed the RJD leader about the source of funding for this substantial financial commitment, Yadav strategically avoided providing a direct answer. Instead, he redirected the conversation toward criticizing the current government's policies and highlighting what he described as their failure to adequately support women workers in the state.
Political Implications
This promise comes at a crucial juncture in Bihar's political landscape, where women voters have emerged as a decisive demographic. The Jeevika program, which organizes rural women into self-help groups, has been a cornerstone of Bihar's social development initiatives, making Yadav's pledge particularly significant.
Economic Considerations
Financial experts have raised eyebrows at the proposal, questioning the fiscal practicality of providing such substantial monthly payments to thousands of Jeevika workers. The state's current economic capacity and existing budgetary constraints make this promise a subject of intense debate among political analysts and economists alike.
Campaign Strategy
Observers note that this announcement aligns with Yadav's broader campaign strategy of focusing on employment and social welfare issues. By targeting Jeevika workers specifically, the RJD aims to consolidate its support among rural women, a voting bloc that has shown increasing political awareness and participation in recent elections.
The political atmosphere in Bihar continues to heat up as election dates approach, with such promises likely to dominate campaign discourse in the coming weeks.
