Patna, Oct 22: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday made a major poll promise, vowing that all contractual employees and Jivika Didis in Bihar will be given permanent government jobs if the Grand Alliance forms the government after November 14.

Addressing a press conference at his official residence in Patna, Tejashwi Yadav launched a scathing attack on the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led NDA government, accusing it of widespread corruption and exploitation of contractual workers in government departments.

“Various departments make huge payments to outsourcing companies, but these firms don’t even pay half the sanctioned amount to employees. The rest goes as commission to ministers, senior officials, and decision-makers,” Tejashwi Yadav alleged.

“As a result, contractual employees are forced to work for less than half their entitled salary and live under constant job insecurity, as they can be removed anytime without notice,” he added.

Tejashwi said that once his government is formed, all contractual employees will be made permanent and provided full job security.

“During our 17-month Grand Alliance government, we regularised contractual teachers despite criticism from Sushil Kumar Modi, who said it wasn’t possible. We proved it could be done — and we’ll do the same for contractual workers through agencies like BELTRON,” he said.

Tejashwi Yadav also unveiled a detailed plan for Jivika Didis, announcing permanent government status for them with a monthly salary of Rs 30,000, along with Rs 2,000 for additional expenses.

He also promised an interest waiver on existing loans — only the principal amount to be repaid. Apart from that, he promised interest-free loans for two years and insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh for every Jivika Didi.

He added that these measures would empower rural women and strengthen the state’s Self-Help Group (SHG) network.

Tejashwi Yadav also announced two new welfare schemes to be implemented if his party returns to power and announced the MAA Scheme, where M stands for Makan (House), A for Anna (Food), and the other A stands for Aamdani (Earning).

Tejashwi Yadav elaborated upon the BETI Scheme, where B stands for Benefit, E for Education, T for Training, and I for Income.

“These schemes will ensure that every family has a roof over their head, food security, a steady income source, and that every daughter gets education, training, and financial independence,” the RJD leader explained.

Reiterating his earlier commitment, Tejashwi Yadav once again promised one government job per household if his party comes to power in Bihar.

“Our vision is clear — job security, women’s empowerment, and corruption-free governance. We will bring policies that ensure dignity and stability to every family in Bihar,” Tejashwi Yadav concluded.

New Delhi, Oct 22: A crucial meeting between representatives of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) with senior officials of the Union Home Ministry is underway in Delhi on Wednesday.

The officials and leaders are likely to discuss key issues concerning Ladakh, including the demand for statehood, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, and the release of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and other detained figures.

The meeting, being held at Kartavya Bhawan 3, marks the first formal dialogue between Ladakh’s leadership and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) following the recent violence in Leh that left four civilians dead and nearly 100 others injured.

Representatives attending the meeting on behalf of the Leh Apex Body include Thupstan Chhewang, Chhering Dorjay, and Ashraf, while the Kargil Democratic Alliance is represented by Asghar Ali Karbalai, Qamar Ali Akhun, and Sajjad Kargili. Ladakh MP Haji Hanifa Jan is also participating as a public representative representing both organisations.

Sources said the meeting will also deliberate on compensation for the families of those killed and injured during the violent clashes.

The discussions follow the Centre’s decision to order a judicial probe led by a former Supreme Court judge into the September 24 violence, after which the Ladakh bodies agreed to resume talks.

Earlier, on October 6, both the LAB and KDA had declined to meet central officials, citing the government’s failure to address their demands.

The MHA’s eight-member subcommittee includes LAB chairman Thupstan Chhewang, Chering Dorjay Lakrook, Ashraf Barch, and lawyer Haji Mustafa from Leh, while the KDA’s representation includes Asgar Ali Karbalai, Sajjad Kargili, Qamar Ali Akhoon, and Kargil MP Haji Hanifa.

The September 24 unrest erupted on the 15th day of Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh. Protesters clashed with security forces, vandalised public buildings, and set a BJP office and a police vehicle ablaze.

The Centre later blamed Wangchuk for inciting the violence, invoking the National Security Act (NSA) against him and transferring him to Jodhpur jail.

New Delhi, Oct 22: As questions continue to swirl around the internal cohesion of the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, Purnea MP Pappu Yadav, one of the key leaders of the bloc, on Wednesday said that coordination talks are progressing and ‘leaders will make any sacrifice to save Bihar’.

Speaking to reporters, Yadav said, “There will be a joint press conference tomorrow. The leadership will decide what to do, what not to do, and what will happen. We are saying that our leaders are ready to make any sacrifice. We want Bihar to survive under any circumstances. An INDIA bloc government should be formed in Bihar,” he said.

Pappu Yadav further emphasised his support for Rahul Gandhi as the face of the alliance in Bihar.

“My clarity is that under all circumstances, we need to contest the elections under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. The people of this state have faith in Rahul Gandhi’s struggle,” he added, positioning the Congress leader as central to the alliance’s electoral narrative.

Congress MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh added that key national leaders would soon join the campaign trail.

“Rahul Gandhi will also come, Priyanka will come too, and all the senior leaders will be coming as well in the election campaign,” Singh confirmed.

Addressing speculation around seat-sharing disagreements, senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot downplayed reports of discord.

“There’s no major dispute here. There are 243 seats, and in such a large alliance, having differences over 5–10 seats is nothing unusual. In any state where there’s an alliance, it’s possible that disagreements may arise over a few seats,” Gehlot said.

Meanwhile, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) announced its decision not to contest the Bihar Assembly elections this time, prompting a response from Congress leader Udit Raj, who urged flexibility within the alliance.

“…Congress is making some adjustments, and JMM should do the same. Our focus is to protect the Constitution and democracy, which sometimes requires minor compromises. When we contested elections in Jharkhand, we accepted the seats allotted and similarly, one should maintain a broad perspective…” Raj noted.

While opposition leaders have acknowledged friction, they have reiterated a shared commitment to present a united front against the BJP-led NDA in the upcoming Bihar polls, which are scheduled for November 6 and 11, with results to be declared on November 14.