As the election campaign for the Bihar Assembly heats up, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has intensified its attack on Tejashwi Yadav, the chief ministerial face of the Mahagathbandhan. The NDA accuses Yadav and his coalition of employing ‘jumlebaazi’—making grand but hollow promises—to woo voters in the upcoming 2025 elections.
Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal articulated the NDA’s stance, stating that the opposition’s leaders, including those from Congress and RJD, are resorting to false rhetoric because they anticipate defeat. He characterized their promises as a ‘drama’ that begins only when they realize they are losing. Jaiswal emphasized that these leaders ignore public welfare when in power but become vocal during election periods.
Jitan Ram Manjhi, Union Minister and leader of Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), supported this view, asserting that the voters of Bihar are politically astute and will not be swayed by Yadav’s election narrative. Manjhi recalled that similar tactics were used in the Lok Sabha elections, such as the claim that the Constitution was under threat, which he believes had a limited impact. He indicated that Yadav has a history of misleading the electorate.
Manjhi further alleged that the Mahagathbandhan is deliberately spreading misinformation to confuse voters. He warned that if the opposition were to win, they would be unable to fulfill their promises and would likely blame the central government for any financial constraints. He expressed confidence that the people of Bihar would see through these tactics.
Samrat Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister and an NDA candidate, drew a clear distinction between the opposition’s rhetoric and the NDA’s commitment to action and delivery. He highlighted that the government led by Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar consistently fulfills its promises, contrasting this with the RJD’s focus on making promises rather than delivering results.
The NDA’s criticism comes after Tejashwi Yadav announced several key pledges if elected. These include a doubling of the honorarium and allowances for panchayat representatives, a new pension scheme, and a ₹50 lakh insurance cover for them. He also committed to providing interest-free loans of ₹5 lakh over five years to individuals from marginalized communities engaged in traditional occupations, to assist them with purchasing modern equipment and fostering self-employment. Yadav expressed his belief that Bihar is ready for change and solicited a chance to build a ‘new Bihar’ within 20 months.
Separately, Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor alluded to Yadav’s public image, questioning the perception of him as a hero while suggesting that those responsible for the state’s alleged decline hold such titles. The Jan Suraaj party is participating in the elections as a third political force. The Bihar Assembly elections are scheduled in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results to be declared on November 14.