As Bihar gears up for a crucial Assembly Elections, both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Mahagathbandhan have released their manifestos, each making big promises on jobs, welfare and economic growth.
While the NDA focuses on continuing its development model with emphasis on infrastructure and empowerment, the RJD-Congress-led Mahagathbandhan has centered its campaign around social justice, direct welfare benefits and government jobs.
Here’s what NDA promises
The NDA’s 69-page manifesto, released on Friday in the presence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, BJP national president JP Nadda, Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary and other leaders, lays out an ambitious plan for job creation, women’s empowerment and major infrastructure projects.
-One crore jobs and skill-based employment
The alliance has promised to create over one crore government jobs and other employment opportunities through a “Skill Census” and by setting up “Mega Skill Centres” in every district. These will later be developed into Global Skilling Centres to attract investment and promote skill-based jobs.
-Empowering women through new schemes
Women’s empowerment forms another key promise, with the NDA vowing to help create one crore “Lakhpathi Didis”- women earning over Rs 1 lakh a year. Under the Chief Minister Women Employment Scheme, women entrepreneurs will get up to Rs 2 lakh in financial aid, while “Mission Crorepati” will help selected women entrepreneurs become millionaires.
-Big push for infrastructure
Infrastructure is another major focus. The NDA plans to build seven new expressways, introduce metro rail services in four more cities and set up seven international airports. It also promises one medical college in each district, a “world-class medicity,” 10 new industrial parks per district, 100 MSME parks, and over 50,000 small cottage industries.
-Support for farmers and welfare schemes
For farmers, the NDA has pledged to raise the annual PM Kisan Samman Nidhi support from Rs 6,000 to Rs 9,000 and increase aid for fishermen from Rs 4,500 to Rs 9,000. Its “Panchamrit” welfare package includes free ration, Rs 5 lakh health insurance cover, 50 lakh new pucca houses, and free education from KG to PG for children from poor families.
-Focus on education and youth
In the education sector, the NDA promises residential schools for SC/ST students in every division, Rs 2,000 monthly aid for those pursuing higher education, and up to Rs 10 lakh financial help for students from Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs).
Here’s what Mahagathbandhan promises
The Mahagathbandhan’s manifesto, titled “Bihar Ka Tejashwi Prann” (Tejashwi’s Promise to Bihar), carries the slogan “They Talk, We Act” and presents Tejashwi Yadav as the leader of change.
-Job law within 20 days of coming to power
The alliance’s biggest pledge is to pass a law within 20 days of forming the government that guarantees one government job per household.
-Monthly aid and free electricity for families
The Mai-Behin Maan Yojana promises Rs 2,500 per month to women – Rs 30,000 annually. Each household will get 200 units of free electricity per month. The alliance also promises free health insurance up to Rs 25 lakh under the Jan Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, revival of Mandis, restoration of the APMC Act, and procurement of all crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP).
It has also vowed to bring back the Old Pension Scheme for government employees, regularise contractual workers, and grant Jeevika Didis permanent government status with a Rs 30,000 monthly salary.
-Push for social justice and reservation hikes
On social justice, the Mahagathbandhan plans to raise reservation for Most Backward Classes from 20% to 30% and for Scheduled Castes from 16% to 20%, with proportional increases for Scheduled Tribes. It also proposes community-led management of Bodh Gaya’s Buddhist temples and to halt the Waqf (Amendment) Bill for better transparency in property management.
-Promoting industry and entrepreneurship
In terms of development, the alliance promises new IT parks, industrial growth, and support for local entrepreneurs—though with more focus on welfare spending than private-sector investment.
The Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 will be held in two phases- the first on November 6 and the second on November 11. The votes will be counted and the results will be announced on November 14.
