Is Tejashwi Yadav Struggling with Tension Over Pension Hike?

Patna, June 22 (NationPress) Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai has sharply criticized RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, asserting that it is Tejashwi who is experiencing tension due to the Nitish Kumar government's significant increase in social security pensions, rather than the other way around.

Rai dismissed Tejashwi’s statement that the pension boost from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100 came about through opposition pressure, stating, “It is not Nitish Kumar who is under tension, as Tejashwi claims. Instead, it is Tejashwi himself who feels the strain from this welfare initiative. The Chief Minister's actions stem from commitment, not coercion.”

He also criticized Tejashwi for his lack of attention to his own constituency, Raghopur, located in Vaishali district.

“Raghopur is among the most severely flood-affected regions. The roads are in disrepair, and residents are deprived of essential services. What has Tejashwi accomplished for them? Any development in Raghopur is a result of Nitish Kumar's initiatives, not Tejashwi's,” Rai further stated.

Rai emphasized that Tejashwi's inadequate performance and lack of accountability would significantly hurt the Grand Alliance in the upcoming Assembly elections.

“The Grand Alliance is set to lose all Assembly seats in Vaishali, including Hajipur, Mahnar, Rajapakar, Mahua, Raghopur, and Lalganj due to Tejashwi’s negligence and inability to deliver,” Rai declared.

Earlier that day, Opposition Leader Tejashwi Yadav reiterated his claim that the pension increase declared by Nitish Kumar was directly influenced by opposition pressure.

Tejashwi, while sharing on social media, remarked, “We pledged to elevate the social security pension to Rs 1,500 per month, adjusted for inflation. After two decades of resistance, Nitish Kumar was finally compelled to increase it to Rs 1,100. He is merely mimicking our vision.”

Tejashwi maintained that the opposition's continuous pressure on matters like employment and welfare schemes has forced the NDA to shed its reluctance and follow RJD’s commitments.

“For two decades, Nitish Kumar ignored the elderly, widowed, and disabled. Now, fearing our rising popularity, he has reluctantly increased the pension amount. However, even while imitating, he failed to match our dedication,” Tejashwi asserted.

He accused the NDA of operating a reactionary government, more interested in electoral gains than long-term strategies, labeling Nitish Kumar as “exhausted” and devoid of original thought.