Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the largest constituent of the Mahagathbandhan, unveiled its election manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls on Saturday, pledging significant initiatives such as the creation of 1 crore government jobs and providing Rs 1 lakh annually to “sisters” from economically disadvantaged backgrounds on Raksha Bandhan.
Tejashwi Yadav, former deputy chief minister, introduced the RJD’s manifesto titled ‘Parivartan Patra’, outlining 24 “jan vachan” (public promises) for the 2024 polls, emphasizing the party’s commitment to fulfilling these pledges.
The manifesto also includes a promise to initiate an annual disbursement of Rs 1 lakh to economically disadvantaged women on Raksha Bandhan. Additionally, it pledges to reinstate the Old Pension Scheme for government employees and provide LPG cylinders at a subsidized rate of Rs 500.
To improve connectivity in Bihar, the RJD plans to construct five new airports in Purnea, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, and Raxaul, alongside allocating a special package of Rs 1.60 lakh crore for the state’s comprehensive development. Moreover, Bihar residents would receive 200 units of free electricity per month.
Yadav also announced that the Agniveer scheme, which entails contractual employment in the armed forces, would be discontinued under the INDIA bloc’s governance.
He asserted that under the leadership of the INDIA bloc, if it assumes power at the Centre, the RJD will ensure the creation of 1 crore government jobs for unemployed youth nationwide.
“The process will start on Independence Day this year… it will be like ‘berozgaari se azadi’ (freedom from unemployment),” he told reporters.
“Unemployment is our biggest enemy but the BJP leaders never talk about it. They had promised 2 crore jobs… but we deliver on our promises,” he said.
The Lok Sabha elections for Bihar’s 40 seats are scheduled to take place in seven phases, spanning from April 19 to June 1.