Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav has made a significant promise to the "Jeevika Didis" of Bihar, pledging to grant them permanent status as government employees if his party comes to power in the upcoming state elections. This announcement comes amidst visible tensions within the Mahagathbandhan, Bihar's opposition coalition.
Addressing the state on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, Yadav stated that all "Jeevika CM Didis" (Community Mobilisers) would not only be made permanent but would also receive a monthly salary of ₹30,000. Furthermore, he promised to waive interest on their existing loans and provide interest-free credit for the next two years. Each "Jeevika Didi" would also receive an additional allowance of ₹2,000 per month and insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh. This offer is a direct challenge to the current National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government's "Jeevika Didi" initiative. In addition to the "Jeevika Didis" promise, Tejashwi Yadav assured that all contractual workers in Bihar would be given permanent government jobs if the RJD is voted to power.
The "Jeevika Didi" scheme is a state-run program that empowers women through self-help groups. Yadav's promise aims to directly address perceived injustices faced by these women under the current administration. According to Yadav, approximately 2 lakh community mobilisers among the "Jeevika Didis" would benefit from this decision.
While Tejashwi Yadav is laying out his vision for Bihar, the Mahagathbandhan, the opposition alliance of which the RJD is a major part, is facing significant internal challenges. The coalition, which includes the Congress and various Left parties, is struggling to finalize seat-sharing arrangements. This has led to overlapping nominations and what some leaders are calling "friendly fights" in several constituencies. Theদ্বন্দ্বs over seat allocation have resulted in a situation where allied parties are contesting against each other in multiple constituencies. For example, in Vaishali and Lalganj constituencies, both RJD and Congress have fielded candidates. Similar scenarios are unfolding in other areas like Rosera, Rajapakar, and Bihar Sharif, where the CPI has nominated candidates against Congress nominees.
Smaller parties within the Mahagathbandhan have voiced concerns about being sidelined during seat negotiations. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) recently withdrew from the alliance in Bihar, stating that its demands were overlooked. The absence of a formal, written seat-sharing pact has contributed to the nomination overlaps, further exacerbating the situation.
Senior leaders from the RJD and Congress, including Rahul Gandhi and Lalu Prasad Yadav, have reportedly urged coalition partners to resolve the disagreements. However, these repeated clashes among allies could negatively impact the Mahagathbandhan's image of unity. Some analysts suggest that the Mahagathbandhan's coordination problems highlight the difficulties of managing coalition politics in Bihar. This disunity could potentially benefit the NDA, which has already announced its seat-sharing agreement. The NDA includes the BJP, JD(U), and other regional parties.
The Bihar Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in two phases, on November 6 and November 11. The counting of votes will take place on November 14. With the Mahagathbandhan facing internal rifts and Tejashwi Yadav making significant promises to key voting blocs, the election promises to be closely contested.
