Edited excerpts:
The first phase voting is over. What is your estimate about the alliance’s performance?
We have secured votes from every section of the society. People have voted for a new Bihar. I think the first phase has built a solid foundation for the Mahagathbandhan government in the state. This is just the beginning and the momentum will be carried forward in the second phase, too.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged in his press conference that the Election Commission is helping the BJP rob elections in states and it could well happen in Bihar.
In SIR, they have eliminated voters in a systematic manner to harm the Opposition. In the middle of the election, the state government is transferring Rs 10,000 into the accounts of women voters to influence their voting preference. We complained to the EC, but nothing happened. Rather the EC is engaging those beneficiary women in election duty. Union ministers are openly asking supporters to not allow anyone who does not vote for them to go out and exercise their fundamental right to vote. The role of the EC has always been suspicious. But despite their (EC) ill intentions, the people of Bihar, especially the youth, have made up their minds to defuse any of their tactics. Bihar will give a befitting reply to every government institution which is compromised and is working for the BJP rather than the country.In the 2020 Assembly election, the RJD performed very well and you emerged as the party leader. Has the moment faded a bit?In fact, we have become stronger in five years. We have proved to be a very strong Opposition also. We managed to shape the government’s agenda to a large degree. People of Bihar have seen this and we have a voice and we have political will. We also have a stronger alliance this time with the induction of VIP and IIP. In contrast, the NDA has five parties, but everyone can notice the difference and how they are busy finishing each other. The BJP has not announced Nitish Kumar as the CM face. They have been forced to say this, but everyone knows Nitish Kumar will not be the chief minister in 2025. There’s a strong wave of anti-incumbency. People feel the last decade has been wasted. Every section, be it farmers, workers, youth or women, they want change, and this wave of change cannot be stopped.
Q. In 2020, you were able to make employment a central theme of the election. That buzz is missing this time.
Employment is the biggest issue of this election along with education and healthcare. We are talking about jobs. In fact, we are saying that Bihar’s transformation will be carried out through our mass employment agenda. We have announced that if the alliance comes to power, one government job in each family will be ensured in 20 months’ time. In my public meetings, I appeal to the youth and Gen Z that give us a chance… In the 18 months we were in the government, we ensured the delivery of government job promises. People have now seen the so-called “double-engine” government. In the name of development, they have only received corruption and unemployment. The two engines are pulling the train from opposite ends. The tug-of-war is visible to everyone. Forget the train, even the drivers are being remote-controlled. The INDIA alliance is moving steadily toward majority and victory. The anger of the people is visible on the ground — they want change, and that change will come through the INDIA alliance. In every rally, every village, every neighbourhood, we are getting massive support.
You have announced to give Rs 30,000 to women on January 14 if your party comes to power. Is it counter to the impact of Rs 10,000 given by the government.
We were the first to announce Rs 2,500 per month to women under the ‘Mai Bahin Scheme’. This government is a copycat government. They copied our announcement of pension and increased pension by Rs 700. Once we come to power, we will increase the pension from existing Rs 1,100 to Rs 1,500. This Rs 10,000 for women is a one-time election stunt. They’re trying to buy votes with a one-time payment of Rs 10,000. Our scheme is permanent — we will provide Rs 2,500 per month to women, which means Rs 30,000 a year. The first Rs 30,000 will be given immediately after our government is formed, on January 14, to help women cope with inflation. This is real women’s empowerment. We don’t believe in one-time payments. We believe in the economic independence of women.
Is it possible to provide one government job per family? The announcement seems like an overpromise to win the election. Do you have a plan?
In the last election, when I said that 10 lakh government jobs would be given, CM Nitish Kumar used to question me as to how I would deliver this. I joined the government when he sided with us, and in 18 months, I showed how to deliver it. We implemented a transparent recruitment process, filled vacant positions on time, eliminated corruption and nepotism, and gave youth real opportunities, not false assurances.
In the same manner they are now raising a question. I want to assure you that it is not an empty promise. It’s a concrete plan based on experience and performance. First, we will expedite the recruitment of lakhs of vacant government posts without any delay. Second is to ensure transparency and restore people’s faith in the examination system. The third will be mapping and planning for jobs, keeping in mind the requirements of the coming 10 years exploring new sectors.
On the ground it seems that you haven’t been able to shed away the tag of ‘Jungle Raj’ of the past and it keeps haunting you.
The media loves to tag this. Despite Bihar having one of the highest crimes among states, Nitish Kumar has been tagged as ‘Sushashan Babu’ and gets away from media grilling. Every day there are murders, looting and crime against women. Ministers’ convoys are attacked and MLAs are shot at–whose rule is this? The real jungle raj is happening right now. From sexual assault to murder, from corruption to recruitment scams, every kind of criminal finds shelter in Bihar. This isn’t just jungle raj; it’s also a corruption raj under BJP-JDU. This is the real double engine. Paper leaks, land scams, liquor mafia, everything flourishes openly under their rule. When they can’t answer, they play the caste card. They don’t talk about 20 years of their rule and always try to take people in yesteryears.
In 2020, you had an appeal among the young voters. Do you think the young voters are a little reluctant this time?
This is not correct. The young voters are waiting for the day when they will change this government of unkept promises. We have established direct communication with the youth. I am personally active on social media and have been regularly interacting with young people. They want better opportunities and jobs, and they have trust in us based on our past record. I have full faith in the young generation. They are knowledgeable and are fighting for their rights, deciding their future. No one can deceive them for a long time. They will change the government for a better Bihar.
Wasn’t there a delay in resolving issues around seat-sharing and the chief ministerial face within the alliance? You were out of the campaign for almost 15 days.
There was no delay. The seat-sharing was done in a democratic manner, where everyone expressed their desires. We held a joint press conference to announce the seat-sharing and our CM and deputy CM’s faces. We’ve moved forward with respect and cooperation. The campaign has been going really well and all the alliance partners are on the ground. I have been addressing more than 15 rallies every day. Our allies like Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mukesh Sahni, Dipankar Bhattacharya, IP Gupta, all are working hard to ensure a huge majority for the Mahagathbandhan. The public can clearly see the choice — a united INDIA alliance versus a divided NDA.
There seem to be some issues within your family. You have kept them away from campaigning and your elder brother has launched a party and is contesting elections.
The party is bigger than the family. And there are no differences within the family. Politics is not a family business; it is a means to serve people. The BJP leaders blame that RJD is a dynasty party but look at their leaders. From Samrat Choudhary, Nitish Mishra, Shreyashi Singh, Neeraj Bablu, Sanjeev Chaurasia to Nitin Navin and several others, the dynasty begins from the top. I want to show that the RJD is not a party of dynasty, but of democracy and development. We have vision and the will to work. I took this decision to make every worker feel that opportunities exist for everyone, not just one family. No one from my family except me is fighting Assembly elections. This is not just an electoral strategy but a step to strengthen the organisation and uphold democratic values.
For the first time, the RJD has denied tickets to more than 30 sitting MLAs.
The decision was based on feedback from party workers and ground surveys. We have fielded candidates who can fulfil people’s aspirations in the constituency. We made decisions based on performance and public. In many areas, people wanted new faces, fresh energy and young leadership. This was not a personal decision but one taken to respect public opinion and strengthen the organisation.