Bihar Battle: NDA pitches '21st century Bihar that is relevant to world' in manifesto

The NDA on Friday released their manifesto for the Bihar elections, which was in sharp contrast to the one released by the Mahagathbandhan on October 28.

Briefing the media, Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary said, “We are talking about making Bihar relevant to the world in the 21st century.”

The Mahagathbandhan talked about government jobs to one member of each family. The NDA also talks about one crore jobs to youth in the next five years, both in government and private sectors. It also talks about microchip manufacturing, Defence manufacturing corridors and making Bihar a textile hub. It talks about making Bihar youth skilled enough to be accepted across the world.

The manifesto was jointly released by BJP president JP Nadda, CM Nitish Kumar, Union ministers Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Upendra Kushwaha.

The NDA manifesto underlines the importance of benefits of “double engine ki sarkar”. Several promises like greater train and road connectivity, Metros in four more cities, making Bihar a textile hub, units for Defence products and semiconductors would not be possible without the help of the Centre.

“CM Nitish Kumar has praised the assistance given to Bihar by the Centre and PM Modi has also said that the double-engine government benefited Bihar in the past and it would continue if we come to power after the Assembly polls,” Choudhary said.

Choudhary was left to brief the media as all others left for their different destinations after the release of the manifesto at a hotel in Patna.

The NDA has promised to make education free — right from kindergarten to PG level.

For the poor, Tejashwi had promised to make Jeevika workers government employees. In contrast, the NDA has promised Rs 2 lakh help to Jeevika workers, creating “lakhpati Jeevika didis” and possibly “crorepati didis” in future.

It said it would make a new township called Sitapuram in Sitamarhi. A mega skill development centre is to be opened in every district to train youth. It promised to create a sports city to promote sports.

Industries

The manifesto has given a major thrust to industries in the state, a sector which has been mocked by its adversaries as something the NDA has failed in, in the last 20 years. It has promised to open new industries in every district and 10 new industrial parks, 100 medium scale and 50,000 small-scale industries, Defence manufacturing corridors and semiconductor manufacturing parks.

More doles

The NDA government will give Rs 3,000 as top-up to farmers who already receive Rs 6,000 a year by the Centre. In Bihar, there are around 84 lakh farmers. It has promised to purchase agriculture produce from farmers and double the agricultural produce in the next five years. For the fishing community, it has also promised to provide Rs 4,500 top-up to the equal amount it receives from the Centre.

Welfare for Dalits and EBCs

The NDA has promised Rs 2,000 stipend per month to SC and ST students in higher education. The EBC (Economically Backward Class) will receive a help of Rs 10 lakh. Apart from midday meals, the government will give a nutritious breakfast to students in government schools, Rs 5,000 crore for the upgrade of school buildings, a medical college in all districts and 50 lakh new houses for the below poverty line (BPL) masses. It also promised seven new expressways and 3,600 new tracks for new trains.

RJD’s response

The RJD has mocked the manifesto. “Instead of releasing a manifesto, the NDA should have issued a report card. Nitishji has been in power for 20 years and Modiji has been in power for 11 years. Despite having a double-engine government for 11 years, according to Niti Ayog reports, Bihar lags in all fields,” said RJD spokesperson Chitranjan Gagan, dubbing it all a “jumla”.