The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Friday released its manifesto, titled ‘Sankalp Patra’, in Patna ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. The manifesto outlines the alliance’s vision for a “Developed Bihar” with promises focused on employment generation, women empowerment, agricultural reforms, and infrastructure development.
Union Minister and BJP President JP Nadda, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Union Ministers Jitan Ram Manjhi and Chirag Paswan, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha jointly unveiled the document in the presence of other senior leaders from NDA partners.
The manifesto pledges to create over one crore government jobs and employment opportunities in the state. It also proposes a “skills census” to map youth capabilities and establish mega skill centers in every district, transforming Bihar into a global hub for skill training. The document also promises the establishment of a Defense Corridor, a Semiconductor Manufacturing Park, and 10 new industrial parks in each district to boost local manufacturing.
In a major push for women’s empowerment, the NDA has announced financial assistance of up to ₹2 lakh under the Women’s Employment Scheme. It also aims to make one crore women “lakhpatis” through initiatives such as Mission Crorepati, promoting women entrepreneurs and self-reliance.
The NDA also pledged assistance of up to ₹10 lakh for Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs).
For farmers, the alliance has pledged to increase the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi assistance from ₹6,000 to ₹9,000 annually and raise aid for fish farmers from ₹4,500 to ₹9,000. The manifesto assures Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantees for all crops and proposes an investment of ₹1 lakh crore in agricultural infrastructure.
The education sector has also received considerable attention, with the NDA promising free education from kindergarten to post-graduation for students from poor families. It also pledges ₹2,000 per month to Scheduled Caste students pursuing higher education, construction of residential schools for Scheduled Castes, and modernization of major schools with a ₹5,000 crore fund.
The alliance has outlined ambitious infrastructure goals, including modernization of seven expressways, expansion of 3,600 km of railway tracks, and the construction of a medical college in every district. The manifesto also envisions transforming the birthplace of Goddess Sita into a world-class spiritual city named ‘Sitapuram’.
Further, the NDA promises to develop international airports in Patna, Darbhanga, Purnia, and Bhagalpur, and introduce metro services in four new cities. Housing and welfare schemes also feature prominently, with plans to build 50 lakh new pucca houses, provide 125 units of free electricity, free rations, and social welfare pensions.
Elections for the 243-seat Bihar Assembly will take place in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results to be declared on November 14. The opposition Mahagathbandhan, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress, released its manifesto earlier this week, promising government jobs for one member of every family within 20 days of forming the government.