INDIA Bloc Unveils Bihar Poll Manifesto; Promises Jobs, Free Power, OPS Restoration
Patna: The INDIA bloc on Tuesday unveiled its manifesto for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, pledging a series of welfare measures including a government job for one member of every household, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), and 200 units of free electricity for residents.
The 32-page manifesto, titled ‘Bihar ka Tejashwi Pran’ (Tejashwi’s Resolve), was released at a packed press conference attended by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and alliance partners.
Yadav said the manifesto, comprising 25 key points, focuses on practical solutions for the state’s issues. “A new law guaranteeing employment will be enacted within 20 days of the INDIA bloc forming the government,” he announced. An employment guarantee scheme, he added, would be rolled out across Bihar within 20 months of assuming power.
According to the manifesto, all contractual workers in government departments will be made permanent. The Jeevika Didis will also be regularised and provided a monthly salary of ₹30,000. The document further promises the establishment of IT parks, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), dairy and agro-based industries, an education city, and five new expressways in the state.
Yadav accused the NDA government of failing to deliver on its promises. “People of Bihar want a crime-free and scam-free regime. They will teach the NDA a lesson in the polls,” he said, adding that the public seeks a government ensuring better padhai (education), dawai (healthcare), kamai (employment), and sichai (irrigation).
Taking a swipe at the BJP, he alleged, “The NDA has no vision for Bihar. They haven’t even released their manifesto yet. BJP leaders and corrupt officials have turned Nitish Kumar into a puppet. Even Amit Shah has made it clear that Nitish will not be their CM face.”
Yadav also said the INDIA bloc would review the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, terming it a failure. “If voted to power, we will lift the ban on toddy (tari),” he said.
Calling the manifesto a “roadmap for Bihar’s development,” Yadav described it as a resolution to make the state number one.
The event venue displayed a banner featuring photographs of key INDIA bloc leaders—a contrast to the October 23 press conference that drew controversy for showcasing only Tejashwi Yadav’s image.
Among those present at the release were Congress leader Pawan Khera, CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, VIP party chief Mukesh Sahni, and other alliance representatives.
Khera and Yadav also announced that Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will join the INDIA bloc’s campaign in Bihar on Wednesday.
