BJP National President and Union Minister JP Nadda with Union Ministers Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and JDU National Working President Sanjay Jha releases the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) manifesto for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, in Patna, Friday
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PTI
The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Thursday unveiled its election manifesto for the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls, promising job creation, infrastructure development, and welfare measures aimed at youth and farmers. The release of the manifesto comes days after the opposition Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) presented its own set of promises centred on employment, education, and social justice.
The NDA’s manifesto, released jointly by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy CM and BJP leader Samrat Choudhary, and other alliance partners, pledged to continue Bihar’s growth momentum under the banner of “Vikas aur Vishwas” (Development and Trust). BJP president JP Nadda, Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Jitan Ram Manjhi, Chirag Paswan, and leaders of alliance partners were also present at the Press Conference in Patna.
The ruling alliance promised to generate 20 lakh new jobs in government and private sectors, expanding industrial investment, and upgrading the state’s infrastructure with a focus on roads, irrigation, and urban amenities. Other key promises outlined in the poll document is seven expressways, 10 industrial parks, free quality education from KG to PG and ₹2,000 monthly assistance for SC/ST students pursuing higher education.
Unveiling the document in Patna, Nitish Kumar said, “Our government has delivered on promises of good governance, women’s empowerment, and social development. In the next term, we will ensure every youth gets an opportunity to build a bright future in Bihar.”
Manifesto commitments
The NDA, if voted to power, will also set up a world-class medicity, one medical college in each district, free ration, free treatment up to ₹5 lakh and 50 lakh more pucca houses, according to the 69-page manifesto of the ruling alliance.
The manifesto also includes commitments to enhance agricultural productivity through better irrigation facilities, support for small and marginal farmers, and schemes to promote agro-based industries.
The NDA leaders underlined that the alliance’s focus would be on continuity and consolidation of gains made over the past decade. BJP state president Samrat Choudhary said, “We have changed the face of Bihar from a state of despair to one of development. The NDA’s track record speaks for itself, and our new roadmap will take Bihar to the next level of progress.”
Among social welfare measures, the NDA promised to expand women’s self-help groups, provide housing for all eligible families, and strengthen healthcare and education systems, including modernisation of government schools and technical institutions. A new scheme to support start-ups and entrepreneurship among youth also finds mention in the manifesto.
The release follows the Mahagathbandhan’s manifesto, titled as “Bihar ka Tejashwi pran” and launched earlier in the week, where the opposition alliance led by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav made employment generation the central theme of its campaign. The Grand Alliance promised 10 lakh government jobs, recruitment drives for vacant posts, and a renewed focus on higher education and skill development.
Tejashwi Yadav had described joblessness as “Bihar’s biggest challenge,” accusing the NDA government of “failing to provide opportunities to the state’s youth.” The opposition manifesto also promised debt waivers for farmers, better healthcare infrastructure, and social welfare schemes targeted at marginalised communities.
The Mahagathbandhan has pledged to enact a special law aimed at preventing atrocities against members of the Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) and other marginalised groups. The alliance has also vowed to push for an increase in reservations beyond the current 50 per cent ceiling by introducing a state legislation that would be forwarded to the Union government for approval.
As part of its social justice commitments, the opposition bloc has promised to raise the quota for EBCs in panchayati raj institutions from the present 20 per cent to 30 per cent, citing the need for greater political representation of the community in local governance.
In a pointed criticism of the Nitish Kumar-led government’s record on law and order, the INDIA bloc has proposed a “zero-tolerance policy” on crime. The manifesto states that station house officers (SHOs) and district police superintendents will be held directly accountable for maintaining peace and security in their jurisdictions.
While both alliances are competing on promises of employment and development, political observers note a distinct difference in emphasis — the NDA banking on its governance record and continuity, and the Mahagathbandhan offering a change-oriented agenda aimed at addressing unemployment and inequality.
Published on October 31, 2025