New Delhi: The issue of employment has emerged as the biggest and most burning issue in the Bihar assembly elections this year. In the 2020 election campaign, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav promised 1 million government jobs in the first cabinet meeting, which attracted significant youth interest.
In response, the NDA had to announce the creation of 2 million jobs. Five years later, despite tall promises from both the government and the opposition, Bihar’s younger generation (Gen Z) is not easily convinced by these announcements. Over the past five years, the state has witnessed widespread protests over the cancellation of recruitment exams, paper leaks, and numerous clashes between students and police.
This time, Tejashwi Yadav has promised a government job for every family if he comes to power, while the NDA has promised 20 million government jobs over the next five years and a boost to entrepreneurship through new investment. Despite this, there is deep resentment among the youth, who view these promises as mere election “jumlas.”
Of Bihar’s 74.3 million voters, approximately 37.8 million are between the ages of 20 and 40, accounting for 51% of the total. Their simmering anger spells trouble for any party that forms government in the state.
Arun Gupta (34), a B.Tech graduate from the Muzaffarpur Institute of Technology (MIT), is also preparing for a government teaching position. Speaking to the Economic Times, he says, “A government job is a government job. The government completed TRE-3, but even after announcing TRE-4, we’re still waiting. We want change, but which one should we choose? They’re all the same.” His friend Manish Yadav calls it a hollow promise and asks, “Those who promised millions of jobs should explain what they’ve done in the last five years?”
Promise or ‘jumla’? Youth are asking questions
Abhishek Kumar from Purnia is preparing for the BPSC. Speaking to the Economic Times, he says that all parties have now learned to use “jumlas” during elections. Tejashwi Yadav is talking about giving a government job to every family. I want to ask him, what will be the criteria for this? The literacy rate among SC/ST is less than 10%, and the female literacy rate in Purnia is 51%. What kind of jobs will you give to these illiterate families?
For Vikas Kumar of Khagaria, timely and leak-proof exams are his priority. He says, “We don’t want the 20 million jobs promised by the NDA, but at least we want exams to be conducted on time and without any malpractice. We come from poor families and can’t afford to go abroad for professional courses. A government job is our only option.” To support his monthly living expenses of around 9,000 rupees in Patna, Vikas also rides an Uber bike for three to four hours every day.
The message from Bihar’s Gen Z is loud and clear. Employment isn’t just an election slogan, but the most pressing issue in their lives. They’re no longer willing to believe empty promises.
