RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav named as Mahagathbandhan's CM face in Bihar polls

The name was announced by Congress leader Ashok Gahlot at a joint press conference.

Gahlot was on Thursday rushed to Patna by the Congress to diffuse tension within the opposition alliance after some assembly segments showed "friendly fights".

Gahlot, who is the senior election observer of Congress, met RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi Yadav.

The Congress leader assured that Mahagathbandhan is united.

In a massive poll promise, Tejashwi said  women working under the government's 'Jeevika Didi' scheme would be absorbed as permanent employees with a monthly salary of Rs. 30,000 if his party-led alliance government comes in the next month assembly polls.

All contractual employees will be made permanent, announced Tejashwi, whose RJD is an alliance with the Congress and other smaller parties.

Additionally, Tejashwi has promised the interests of the loans taken by women under the scheme will be waived and an extra allowance of Rs. 2,000 per month and an insurance coverage worth Rs. 5 lakh will be provided.

The promise is perceived as a challenge to the ruling NDA spearheaded by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as the RJD is set to use the 'Jeevika Didi' promise as a poll plank in the coming weeks.

The Bihar polls will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14.