The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Friday released its joint manifesto (Sankalp Patra) for the Bihar assembly polls, promising jobs to one crore youth, financial aid to women entrepreneurs, and major infrastructure development, among other pledges.
According to the 69-page manifesto, assistance under Kisan Samman Nidhi will be increased from ₹6,000 to ₹9,000 per year, providing direct income support to farmers. Similarly, financial aid for fisher farmers will be doubled from ₹4,500 to ₹9,000 per year. Farmers will receive an annual benefit of ₹3,000 under the Karpuri Thakur Kisan Samman Nidhi.
The manifesto outlines a ₹1 lakh crore investment plan to develop agricultural infrastructure. The NDA also promises an MSP guarantee for all crops and procurement of major crops at the Panchayat level. It further pledges to establish five mega food parks, double agricultural exports, and achieve self-reliance in the production of pulses by 2030. The alliance also aims to transform Bihar into a global export hub for makhana and fish.
The NDA’s manifesto places strong emphasis on employment generation and women’s empowerment. It promises jobs for one crore youth and aims to make one crore women “Lakhpati Didis.” The ruling alliance has also pledged financial assistance of up to ₹2 lakh for women under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana.
The manifesto proposes providing ₹2,000 per month to all Scheduled Caste students in higher education and ₹10 lakh in assistance to members of Extremely Backward Classes. It also promises residential schools for Scheduled Caste students in every sub-division and a special venture fund for entrepreneurs from Scheduled Caste (SC) communities.
Infrastructure and education feature prominently in the manifesto. It pledges metro rail projects in four additional cities, international airports in Patna, Darbhanga, Purnia, and Bhagalpur, the development of seven expressways, and the modernization of 3,600 km of railway tracks.
Other welfare promises include free ration, 125 units of free electricity, free medical treatment up to ₹5 lakh, and 50 lakh pucca houses for low-income families. The NDA also promises free, quality education for the poor from kindergarten to post-graduation, healthy breakfasts along with midday meals in schools, and modern skill labs to boost technical education. If voted to power, the alliance will also establish a world-class medicity and ensure one medical college in each district.
The announcement in Patna saw the participation of several key leaders, including BJP chief and Union Minister J.P. Nadda, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Union Ministers Jitan Ram Manjhi and Chirag Paswan, and RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Mahagathbandhan, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress, unveiled its manifesto titled Bihar Ka Tejashwi Pran, pledging to enact a law within 20 days of forming the government to ensure a government job for one member of every family in the state.
The state will go to polls in two phases on November 6 and 11, and the counting of votes will take place on November 14.