Patna, Oct 28: The INDIA bloc on Tuesday unveiled its manifesto for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, pledging a series of welfare and development measures including government jobs for one member of every household, 200 units of free electricity, and the restoration of the old pension scheme (OPS).
The 32-page document, titled “Bihar ka Tejashwi Pran” (Tejashwi’s Resolve), was released at a packed press conference in Patna by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, 35, in the presence of key alliance partners.
Highlighting the key features of the manifesto, Yadav said it comprises 25 major commitments aimed at providing “practical solutions” to the state’s challenges. “A new law guaranteeing employment will be enacted within 20 days of the INDIA bloc forming the government in Bihar,” he announced, adding that an employment guarantee scheme would be rolled out within 20 months of assuming office.
The manifesto also promises to regularize all contractual employees working in government departments. Additionally, ‘Jeevika Didis’ — women associated with the state’s self-help groups — would be made permanent and offered a monthly salary of ₹30,000.
To boost industrial growth and employment, the bloc has proposed the establishment of IT parks, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), dairy and agro-based industries, an education city, and five new expressways across Bihar.
“People of Bihar want a crime-free and scam-free government. They are ready to teach the NDA a lesson in these elections,” Yadav said, asserting that the current ruling alliance lacks a vision for the state.
He alleged that “corrupt officials and BJP leaders have made Chief Minister Nitish Kumar a puppet,” and pointed out that the NDA had yet to release its own manifesto. “Even Union Home Minister Amit Shah has made it clear that Nitish Kumar will not be the NDA’s chief ministerial face,” Yadav claimed.
The RJD leader further stated that the INDIA bloc would review the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, calling it a “complete failure,” and pledged to lift the ban on toddy (tari) if elected to power.
Calling the manifesto a “roadmap for Bihar’s development,” Yadav said it reflected the alliance’s commitment to ensuring padhai (education), dawai (healthcare), kamai (employment), and sichai (irrigation) for all.
All prominent leaders of the INDIA bloc attended the event, including Congress’s Pawan Khera, CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, and VIP party chief Mukesh Sahni.
A large banner at the venue featured photographs of leading INDIA bloc figures, unlike the earlier October 23 press conference that drew criticism for displaying only Tejashwi Yadav’s image.
Khera announced that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, would join the INDIA bloc’s campaign in Bihar on Wednesday.
