Tejashwi Yadav’s poll promise: Double allowance for panchayat reps, honorarium for PDS dealers, and more

Bihar Elections 2025: Preparations for the 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections have intensified, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav recently made several ambitious announcements in a press conference, targeting village-level representatives, PDS dealers, and traditional artisans. These promises are claimed to be implemented if the Mahagathbandhan (Indi Alliance) forms the government. Let's take a look at their highlights:

1. Facilities for Panchayat and Village Representatives

• The allowances of current Panchayat representatives will be doubled.
• The process of providing pensions to former Panchayat representatives and Gram Kachari members will begin.
• These steps appear to be an attempt to strengthen rural democracy, where millions of representatives are active in Bihar.

2. Relief Package for PDS Dealers

• An insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh for PDS dealers.
• A significant increase in margin money per quintal.
• Dealers will be provided with an honorarium.
• The age limit of 58 years for compassionate appointments has been abolished.
• The PDS system in Bihar is the lifeline of millions of families, and these announcements address long-standing demands of dealers.

3. Self-employment scheme for working castes (barbers, blacksmiths, carpenters, potters)

• A lump sum of ₹5 lakh for 5 years will be provided to members of these castes.
• This will be used to purchase modern tools and promote self-employment.
• This scheme appears to be part of a strategy to consolidate the OBC/EBC vote bank, which constitutes a large portion of Bihar's population.

Tejashwi said, "The people of Bihar gave the BJP 20 years; we are asking for only 20 months." He referred to the start of the campaign and claimed support from all castes and religions while accusing the current government of corruption and crime. These statements signal an aggressive front against the NDA (BJP-JD(U)).

Analysis in the Electoral Context

These announcements directly impact Bihar's rural and poor voters, who proved decisive for the Grand Alliance in previous elections. Tejashwi's strategy focuses on "change," an attempt to make a comeback in 2025 after the 2020 assembly election defeat. However, the success of these promises will depend on how united the Grand Alliance remains, especially with the Congress and the Left parties. There has been no direct response from the BJP yet, but the political battle is expected to intensify.

The people of Bihar are now watching to see how practical these promises prove to be. Would you like more information on any of these specific announcements, or to know the BJP's response?