‘Give Us 20 Months’: Tejashwi Launches Big Rural Push With Panchayat, Artisan Sops
RJD vows pension, insurance, ₹5L interest-free for rural Bihar.
With Bihar’s Assembly elections just days away, Tejashwi Yadav, the Mahagathbandhan’s Chief Ministerial candidate, unveiled a sweeping rural empowerment package on Saturday. Flanked by alliance deputy CM face Mukesh Sahani of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), Yadav pledged to double honorariums for all elected representatives in Bihar’s Panchayati Raj institutions and Gram Kachaharis if the INDIA bloc storms to power.
The RJD leader announced pension benefits for panchayat officials, a long-standing demand ignored by the NDA government. Additionally, each representative will receive ₹50 lakh in insurance coverage. Public Distribution System (PDS) dealers will see their profit margins significantly increased, ensuring better livelihoods for thousands involved in food grain distribution across villages.
In a major boost to traditional artisans, Yadav promised interest-free loans of ₹5 lakh to potters, blacksmiths, carpenters, and other self-employed craftsmen to modernize tools, expand workshops, and scale businesses. “These are the backbone of rural economy—yet forgotten by the ruling regime,” he declared.
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Dismissing NDA’s 20-year rule as a period of stagnation, Tejashwi challenged voters. “They got 20 years. Give us just 20 months—we’ll make Bihar Number 1.” He exuded confidence in the Mahagathbandhan’s unity, confirming joint campaigns with Congress heavyweights Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and a finalized common manifesto.
Polling begins November 6, with results on November 14. The high-stakes battle pits the Nitish Kumar-led NDA—comprising JDU, BJP, Chirag Paswan’s LJP (Ram Vilas), HAM, and RLM—against the Tejashwi-led Opposition combining RJD, Congress, Left parties, and VIP. As rural distress and unemployment dominate voter concerns, Yadav’s pro-panchayat, pro-artisan promises could sway crucial grassroots support in the final stretch.
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