In a strategic move to consolidate its campaign ahead of the two-phase Bihar Assembly elections, the opposition Mahagathbandhan alliance—comprising the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, Left parties, and smaller allies like the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP)—is poised to release its joint manifesto on October 28 in Patna. The document, to be unveiled by RJD leader and alliance Chief Ministerial face Tejashwi Yadav alongside other bloc representatives, follows the resolution of weeks-long seat-sharing disputes and the formal announcement of Yadav as the CM candidate on October 23.
This release comes post-Chhath Puja, aligning with the kickoff of intensified campaigning. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Mallikarjun Kharge are slated to join Yadav for joint rallies targeting seats in both polling phases—November 6 and 11—with vote counting on November 14. The manifesto aims to present a unified vision of “development for all,” contrasting the Nitish Kumar-led NDA’s governance, which Yadav has accused of neglecting youth employment and women’s issues.
Key Promises: Merging RJD’s Jobs Focus with Congress’s Welfare Guarantees
The manifesto will synthesize Yadav’s youth-centric pledges with Congress’s household relief measures, emphasizing inclusive growth amid Bihar’s high unemployment (around 7.6% as per recent PLFS data) and rural distress. Highlights include:
| Promise Category | Key Details | Targeted Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|
| Employment & Livelihoods | One government job per family; Rs 30,000 monthly stipend for self-help group (SHG) women; permanency for Jeevika Didi community mobilizers and contractual workers across departments. | Youth (18-35 age group); 1.5 crore+ SHG women via Jeevika scheme; 5 lakh+ contractual staff. |
| Energy & Household Aid | 200 units of free electricity monthly; LPG cylinders at Rs 500. | Low-income households (BPL/APL); aims to cover 80% rural families burdened by rising fuel costs. |
| Education & Social Justice | Reservation in all private institutions; cap on overall reservation limits; zero-tolerance on corruption and crime. | Students from backward castes; marginalized communities (EBCs, SC/STs, OBCs). |
Yadav’s recent salvo against the NDA’s handling of the Jeevika scheme—launched in 2006 to empower rural women—underscores these commitments. Speaking in Patna on October 22, he vowed to elevate Jeevika Didis to permanent government employee status, addressing long-standing demands for job security amid allegations of exploitation under the current regime. This builds on his broader critique of the NDA’s “double-engine” model, claiming it has failed Bihar’s 4 crore youth aspiring for stable employment.
Seat-Sharing Landscape: Unity Amid Early Friction
The manifesto’s green light follows a hard-fought seat allocation finalized after nomination deadlines. The Mahagathbandhan’s distribution for the 243-seat assembly:
- RJD: 143 seats (dominant in Yadav strongholds like north Bihar).
- Congress: 61 seats (focus on urban pockets and minority areas).
- CPI(ML), VIP, and others: Remaining 39 seats (CPI(ML) on 20+, VIP on 10-15 for EBC outreach).
Early tensions arose over Congress’s push for 70 seats and VIP’s demand for 40, leading to “friendly fights” in six constituencies initially. However, four candidates (three from Congress, one from VIP) withdrew nominations in favor of RJD contenders on October 24, signaling renewed cohesion and boosting alliance morale.
In contrast, the NDA—led by BJP and JD(U)—finalized its pact swiftly: BJP (101 seats), JD(U) (101), LJP(RV) (29), HAM(S) (6), and RLM (6). The ruling coalition has countered with its own sops, including 125 units of free electricity, exam fee waivers for students, and Rs 1,000 monthly under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana for women’s employment.
High-Stakes Battle: NDA vs. Mahagathbandhan
With polls just weeks away, the contest pits Yadav’s “Nyay Yatra” vision—rooted in social justice and economic revival—against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s development narrative. Analysts predict a tight race, with the opposition’s manifesto targeting Bihar’s 2.5 crore unemployed youth and women voters (who form 48% of the electorate). NDA’s early announcements, including PM Modi’s campaign launch on October 24, aim to reclaim momentum.
The October 28 unveil will not only outline policy roadmaps but also test the alliance’s unity, as Bihar’s voters—grappling with migration and inequality—decide between continuity and change.
