Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar addresses a rally for the Bihar Assembly elections in Muzaffarpur on Tuesday. | Photo credit: ANI
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday hit out at his former deputy Tejashwi Yadav, accusing him of trying to “mislead” women by making empty promises about Jeevika self-help groups.
Without naming the RJD leader, Kumar said in a social media post, “People of Bihar gave them a chance but they used the power to serve their own interests instead of serving the people.” His remarks came a day after Yadav, now the chief ministerial candidate of the opposition INDIA bloc, promised government employee status to contract workers and an increase in monthly remuneration to ₹30,000 for the nearly two million “community mobilisers” involved in the Jeevika self-help groups.
“Some people, just before the elections, are trying to portray themselves as supporters of Jeevika Didis and half the population of Bihar. The truth is that they are seeking livelihood for their own families in the name of ‘Jeevika Didis’,” Kumar wrote.
“They make grandiose promises to bring moon and stars for half the population. People of Bihar also gave these individuals a chance, but then they were more focused on personal gains than service,” he added.
He further asserted, “During their rule, women’s development was limited to their own families. The pain, suffering and sting of the ‘jungle raj’ that Bihar’s women endured during that period is no secret.”
Mr. Kumar said Bihar today is not what it was before 2005. “Bihar’s sisters and daughters are studying, advancing, working, creating jobs and bringing pride to the state and the country. They know who really worked for their upliftment,” he wrote, expressing confidence that women would once again support the NDA in the upcoming polls.
“The promise we made to Bihar in 2005 is still on our minds. As long as I am here, no force can stop Bihar, and especially our sisters and daughters, from moving forward,” the chief minister added.
Highlighting his government’s initiatives, he wrote, “We have introduced 50% reservation for women in panchayat and municipal elections, 35% reservation in government jobs and residency policy for women. We have also introduced 50% quota for women in the recruitment of primary school teachers.”
He said the state spends ₹94,100 for each girl from birth to graduation and provides ₹10,000 to one woman per family to start a business. “If the business continues successfully, they are eligible for additional assistance up to ₹2,000,” he added.
“More than 1.4 million Jeevika Didis play a vital role in boosting Bihar’s economy. No society or state can progress without uplifting half of its population,” Kumar said.
Published – 23 Oct 2025 20:28 IST
