On the final day of campaigning for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, Mahagathbandhan’s Chief Ministerial candidate and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav expressed confidence in ending the 20-year rule of the JD(U)-led NDA government. He announced that if his alliance comes to power, women will receive Rs 30,000 under the proposed Mai Bahin Maan Yojana, to be deposited in their accounts on Makar Sankranti.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Yadav said that many women have shown enthusiasm for the scheme, which aims to provide financial relief during inflation. He stated, “Our mothers and sisters have demanded this support, and we will fulfill it. Makar Sankranti falls on January 14, and once our government is formed, Rs 30,000 will be credited to women’s accounts for the entire year.” He added that under this scheme, each woman would receive Rs 30,000 annually — a total of Rs 1.5 lakh over five years. Yadav also pledged additional benefits for Jeevika Didis working under the World Bank-supported Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project, including a monthly allowance of Rs 2,000, loan interest waivers, and insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh.

He further promised that government employees would be posted within 70 kilometers of their home districts. Criticizing the NDA government, Yadav said that people across Bihar are ready for change, declaring, “This time, the people of Bihar will uproot the 20-year-old government.” He confidently stated that he would take oath as Chief Minister on November 18.

Earlier, the Mahagathbandhan released its manifesto, Bihar Ka Tejashwi Pran, on October 28, highlighting promises such as providing one government job per family within 20 days of forming the government. The Mai-Bahin Maan Yojana also includes a monthly assistance of Rs 2,500 for women from December 1 for five years.

Other major commitments include restoring the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), a key Congress agenda, and pausing the implementation of the Waqf (Amendment) Act to ensure more transparent and welfare-oriented management of Waqf properties. In the upcoming 2025 Bihar elections, the main contest is between the NDA—comprising BJP, JD(U), HAMS, and LJP (RV)—and the Mahagathbandhan, which includes RJD, Congress, VIP, and left parties. Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj has also announced candidates for all 243 seats. The assembly elections will take place in two phases, on November 6 and 11, with results to be declared on November 14.