Bihar – The opposition INDIA bloc in Bihar has released its comprehensive election manifesto, titled ‘Tejashwi Pratigya Pran,’ making ambitious promises to voters ahead of the crucial assembly elections. The Bihar manifesto, unveiled on Tuesday during a high-profile event in Patna, outlines the coalition’s vision for governance and social welfare if voted to power.
Led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, the INDIA bloc’s Bihar manifesto launch saw attendance from key alliance leaders including RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, Congress leader Pawan Khera, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani, and CPI(ML)’s Dipankar Bhattacharya, signaling a united front despite internal challenges.
Flagship Promise: Government Jobs for Every Family
The centerpiece of the Bihar manifesto is an unprecedented commitment to provide government employment to one member of every family in the state. The alliance has promised to pass legislation within just 20 days of forming the government to implement this ambitious employment guarantee scheme.
This promise in the Bihar manifesto directly addresses Bihar’s chronic unemployment crisis and positions job creation as the coalition’s top priority. The implementation mechanism and financial implications of this scheme, however, remain to be detailed as the campaign progresses.
Mai-Behin Maan Yojana: Financial Support for Women
Another major highlight of the Bihar manifesto is the ‘Mai-Behin Maan Yojana,’ a comprehensive women’s welfare program. Under this scheme outlined in the Bihar manifesto, women across the state will receive direct financial assistance of ₹2,500 per month starting from December 1, continuing for the next five years.
This initiative, if implemented, would provide annual assistance of ₹30,000 to each beneficiary woman, totaling ₹1.5 lakh over the five-year period. The Bihar manifesto positions this scheme as a measure to enhance women’s economic independence and social security.
Waqf Amendment Bill: A Controversial Stand
Taking a clear position on a contentious national issue, the Bihar manifesto promises to put the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on hold if the alliance comes to power. The coalition has committed to making the management of Waqf properties “welfare-oriented and transparent,” addressing concerns raised by various communities about the proposed amendments.
This stance in the Bihar manifesto is likely to resonate with Muslim voters and position the alliance as protective of minority community interests, potentially becoming a significant factor in the electoral battle.
Bihar Election Schedule and Stakes
Bihar will conduct its assembly elections in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with vote counting scheduled for November 14. The Bihar manifesto has been released at a crucial juncture, giving the opposition alliance limited time to communicate its promises to voters across the state.
The Opposition Grand Alliance has named Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate and Mukesh Sahani as the deputy chief ministerial face for the assembly polls, providing clear leadership options to voters considering the Bihar manifesto promises.
Seat Sharing Arrangement and Internal Challenges
Despite the unified presentation of the Bihar manifesto, the alliance faces significant internal challenges regarding seat distribution. According to the current arrangement, the RJD is contesting 143 seats, Congress 61 seats, VIP 15 seats, the three Left parties 33 seats, and the Indian Inclusive Party one seat.
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However, this creates a mathematical anomaly where the alliance has fielded 253 candidates for 243 seats, resulting in “friendly fights” in 10 constituencies. This internal competition threatens to dilute the impact of the Bihar manifesto and weaken the coalition’s electoral prospects.
The public infighting over candidate selection and seat allocation has reportedly hampered the alliance’s campaigning efforts over the past two weeks, potentially reducing the reach and effectiveness of the Bihar manifesto messaging.
Tejashwi Yadav’s Response to Unity Questions
Addressing concerns about alliance cohesion, Tejashwi Yadav has insisted that all INDIA bloc partners remain united despite the visible friction. “Friendly contests have happened in the past in many elections in Jharkhand and other states in a few seats among partners of any coalition. It happens,” Tejashwi explained, attempting to downplay the significance of the internal disputes.
The RJD leader claimed that allies are working to resolve “certain tricky issues” and that “things are taking shape,” expressing confidence that the Bihar manifesto and alliance unity would ultimately prevail in the electoral contest.
Challenge to Nitish Kumar’s Dominance
The Bihar manifesto represents the opposition’s comprehensive strategy to dislodge Chief Minister Nitish Kumar from power after four consecutive terms. The alliance is banking on the appeal of its welfare promises and employment guarantees to counter Kumar’s experience and development narrative.
The success of the Bihar manifesto in swaying voters will depend significantly on the credibility of the promises, the alliance’s ability to present a united front, and the effectiveness of its campaign outreach in the remaining days before polling.
Implementation Feasibility Questions
While the Bihar manifesto makes sweeping promises, questions about implementation feasibility and financial sustainability remain. The commitment to provide government jobs to one member of every family and monthly payments of ₹2,500 to all women would require substantial financial resources and administrative capacity.
Critics are likely to scrutinize these aspects of the Bihar manifesto, demanding clarity on funding mechanisms and implementation timelines. The alliance’s ability to address these concerns convincingly could determine voter reception of the manifesto.
Conclusion
The Bihar manifesto released by the INDIA bloc presents an ambitious vision for the state, centered on employment generation, women’s welfare, and minority community concerns. As voters prepare to cast their ballots on November 6 and 11, the manifesto’s promises will be weighed against the alliance’s credibility, internal unity, and the incumbent government’s track record, ultimately determining Bihar’s political future.
