As Bihar heads towards assembly elections, the promise of job creation, spearheaded by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, has taken center stage, resonating deeply within the minds of the voters. With unemployment a critical issue in the state, Yadav's pledges, particularly those aimed at regularizing contractual state employees and providing jobs to families, are gaining traction.

Yadav's campaign has specifically targeted the state's "Jeevika Didis," women involved in the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project (BRLP), also known as 'Jeevika'. Promising them permanent government employee status and a monthly salary of Rs 30,000, Yadav is appealing to a significant demographic, particularly women voters in rural areas. This move is politically significant, as women have been a decisive voting bloc in past elections, often favoring the ruling NDA. The RJD leader frames his proposal as "justice" for workers, contrasting his approach with the current state government.

The announcement comes amidst a competitive election campaign where job security and welfare for low-paid government workers are key voter concerns. Yadav has linked his pledge to reduce the stress faced by contractual staff to his broader promise of providing one government job per family. He has also promised to enact a law within 20 days of forming the government to ensure this employment guarantee, emphasizing his commitment.

The opposition, led by the NDA, has dismissed Yadav's promises as unrealistic and accused the RJD of misleading voters. However, political observers suggest that the focus on job creation and security could resonate with government workers, their families, and the Jeevika community, potentially influencing voter turnout in key constituencies.

Yadav's focus extends to women with his MAA-BETI scheme (Makaan, Anna, Aamdani and Benefits, Education and Income). Moreover, the Mahagathbandhan alliance, of which RJD is a part, has rolled out its manifesto, with the younger generations and women voters in Bihar as its target. Central to their promises are pathways to empowerment, including a government job guaranteed for every household within 20 months and free electricity for usage up to 200 units monthly.

Time will tell if Tejashwi Yadav's job-centric campaign will translate into electoral success. However, there is no doubt that he has successfully brought the issue of employment to the forefront of the Bihar polls, forcing all parties to address the concerns of the state's workforce.