Bihar Polls Mahagathbandhan manifesto promises govt jobs, free power

With a little over a week to go for the first phase of polling, the opposition Mahagathbandhan on Tuesday released its manifesto for the Bihar assembly election, consisting of a series of populist promises which include one government job per family, restoration of old pension scheme and 200 units of free electricity for every household.

- MPOST BUREAU

The Grand Alliance’ chief ministerial face Tejashwi Prasad Yadav launched the manifesto at a crowded press conference in the state capital, naming it as ‘Bihar Ka Tejashwi Pran’ (Bihar’s ‘Tejashwi Resolve). The manifesto was dubbed as a “vision document” to transform the state into India’s top performer.

The 32-page-document, said the RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, contained “25 salient points assuring practical solutions” to the problems faced by the people of the state. It also promises a monthly allowance of Rs 2,500 for women.

Unveiled as the Mahagathbandhan’s Sankalp Patra 2025, carries the slogan: “Sampoorna Bihar ka, Sampoorna Parivartan ~ Tejashwi Pratigya, Tejashwi Pran”. The manifesto dwelt upon a wide-ranging agenda focusing on employment, welfare, and governance reforms. The cover of the manifesto prominently features Tejashwi Yadav.

The central promise of the manifesto is employment as the opposition alliance has given assurance to the people to enact a law within 20 days of forming the government to ensure one government job per family. The process of job distribution, said, would begin within 20 months of assuming power.

The manifesto also promises to regularise all contractual and outsourced employees and make all Jeevika (self-help group) women permanent government employees with a monthly salary of Rs 30,000.

Tejashwi Yadav said, "Not only do we have to form the government in Bihar, we also have to make a new Bihar... The Mahagathbandhan alliance has released the Sankalp Patra for Bihar." The manifesto includes the "Mai-Bahin Maan Yojana", under which women will receive Rs 2,500 per month starting December 1, translating to Rs 30,000 annually for five years.