Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) national spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Manoj Jha has said there is a yearning for change in Bihar, which depends on the ballot box. Jha spoke with Arun Kumar about the polls, his promise of a million jobs and other related topics. Edited excerpts:
How do you see the prospects for RJD?
We have brought a progressive and practical agenda to the people and have received a great response. Tejashwi Yadav, the party leadership and the cadre have been actively working among the people since the [Covid-19] emergency shutdown. And RJD has spoken out about people’s problems. We have done our best to highlight them in all possible forums. We are doing our best; presenting solutions to the problems that concern Bihar, talking about them constructively and working on the ground to connect with people. We trust that people will recognize our work and political will to work for them and support us.
What gives you so much confidence?
There is a public health crisis. There is widespread economic distress that threatens to affect the lives and livelihoods of millions of people. Our social fabric is under extreme pressure. These are a clear result of the wrong priorities and mismanagement of the government. We have seen anger and hope among the people of Bihar in recent weeks. Anger at the government that has failed the people for multiple reasons. And I hope that after 15 years, there is an opportunity for progressive change.
Is the departure of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) from the National Democratic Alliance going to help RJD?
We have had immense respect for the deceased [LJP leader] Ramvilas Paswan and they feel it is particularly important to acknowledge his legacy. However, this is the issue to be discussed among the stakeholders. Our campaign is people-oriented and we are building our agenda instead of reacting to changing equations and arithmetic.
Governor Janata Dal-United (JD-U) has called Yadavs of Tejashwi promise of a million jobs unrealistic …
Well, it is a very realistic promise. We have spoken with economists and veterans of the administration to resolve this. At least half of the promised jobs already exist. They just haven’t been filled. These are sanctioned positions, which means they have been budgeted for. Ministries and departments, if you look at the data, cannot fully spend their budgets. What exists today is a classic example of underdevelopment. There is money, but it is not being spent or mismanaged. Again, the lack of employment in Bihar is not due to a lack of money, but because the government has not been able to spend it on improving the population.
Has Tejashwi Yadav been able to evolve out of the shadow of Lalu Prasad, who remains under attack?
Laluji has been and will continue to be our leader. He has consistently worked for the poorest and most marginalized and that remains our broadest orientation. Under the leadership of Tejashwi Yadav, we are expanding this agenda, especially with the multiple crises facing our country and our state. India is today an overwhelmingly young country and he understands the concerns and aspirations of the new generation. Tejashwi Yadav is expanding the agenda set by Laluji in the contemporary context.
How do you see the 15 years of JD-U versus the 15 years of struggle of RJD? Does it make you feel uncomfortable?
There are two ways to answer this. One, even critics, albeit grudgingly, acknowledge that Laluji’s tenure was central to social justice issues. Without social justice there can be no development. And two, both 15-year periods must be viewed in the broader context of the pace and nature of national development. The 1990s and early 2000s cannot be directly compared to the next 15 years. In fact, what this comparison actually reveals is that Bihar, under the current leadership, was unable to capitalize on the gains made domestically until 2014. As of 2014, it is an unfortunate situation in which the central and state governments failed to protect to the country. people’s interests. What is JD-U’s current opinion on demonetization, GST, sudden and unplanned shutdown, farm bills, etc.? Do you think these policies have helped the people of Bihar?
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