Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 | Tejashwi Yadav's 'govt job for each home' promise evokes mixed reaction from hoi polloi

Patna: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's promise of "a government job for every household" if voted to power in Bihar has evoked mixed reactions, with some dismissing it as a mere "poll gimmick", while a section of the electorate banking on the assurance to go beyond the rhetoric.

Unemployment is one of the major issues in the state, which witnesses large out-migration to other parts of the country for work.

Yadav, the chief ministerial face of the RJD, recently said that an announcement regarding his poll promise would be made "within 20 days of government formation" and the jobs will see the light of the day within 20 months.

Rehan Khan, who lives in Phulwari Sharif area, on the outskirts of Patna, said, "This is a mere poll gimmick. The NDA has been working on the ground for the overall development of the state, rather than floating unrealistic promises." Md Sheru, who works in a tile shop, said in unequivocal terms that it doesn't seem feasible to provide a government job to every household.

"But we, as Muslims, have very little option beyond the RJD," he said.

Ashok Kumar Rai, who runs a cement shop in the area, is not sure whether keeping the promise will be possible.

He, however, is optimistic that there would be some improvement in terms of employment if the RJD is voted to power.

Rajesh Kumar, who owns a paan shop on Bailey Road, questioned, "From where will he bring such a massive number of jobs? From his home?" Such promises are normal during the elections, and it would be foolish to believe them, said Kumar who looks forward to a "non-BJP alternative in the state".

Md Ansari, who resides in Mithapur area of Patna, too, sounded disenchanted with Tejashwi's poll promise.

He, however, said, "We have a huge regard for Lalu Yadav. He is someone whom we can bank upon." Amrish Kumar Puri of Chitkohra, who claims to be a die-hard RJD fan, too, discarded the possibility of "one government job in each household".

Bihar's caste survey in November 2023 revealed that the state has approximately 2.97 crore families, while the number of existing government jobs is a mere 26.5 lakh. The gulf Tejashwi is aiming to bridge is massive in factual terms.