As Bihar gears up for assembly elections later this year, political parties are actively strategizing and making electoral promises. Amidst this, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar declared a significant increase in social assistance pensions. Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition, responded by accusing the government of merely imitating the RJD’s proposals. Yadav suggested that the pension increase was triggered by the government’s anxiety over the anticipated formation of a Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar.
Speaking to the media, Yadav stated that Kumar’s decision to raise pensions was driven by electoral pressures and accused the government of being imitative. The RJD leader said that the impending Mahagathbandhan government was causing them ‘tension’ and that the NDA was, therefore, mimicking their announcements. He specifically mentioned that the NDA was copying their schemes.
‘The Chief Minister has increased the pension amount under our pressure,’ said Tejashwi Yadav, further stating that the RJD had announced the social security pension increase. He showcased videos to illustrate the RJD’s prior demands, highlighting their persistent efforts to include the pension increase in the budget. Yadav declared, ‘We announced this 7 months ago, constantly demanded it from the government, requested the inclusion of our announcements in the budget, and demanded a separate budget allocation. We repeatedly said that we would compel this government to increase pensions, and we have done it.’
Tejashwi further criticized Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, alleging that the CM was in a detached state. He criticized the two Deputy Chief Ministers. He claimed that the BJP would discard Nitish Kumar after the elections.