BJP using Nitish to further its interest, alleges Tejashwi as he releases INDIA bloc’s Bihar poll manifesto

The INDIA bloc on Tuesday released its manifesto for the Bihar assembly polls, promising, among other things, a government job to one member of every household, restoration of old pension scheme and 200 units of free power.

The 32-page-long 'Bihar ka Tejashwi Pran' (Tejashwi's resolve) was released at a crowded press conference where the 35-year-old RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav was joined by alliance partners.

The INDIA bloc manifesto for the Bihar polls has 25 major points assuring practical solutions, Yadav said at the manifesto release.

"A new law guaranteeing employment would be introduced within 20 days of the INDIA bloc forming the government in Bihar," he said.

An employment guarantee scheme will be implemented across Bihar within 20 months of the INDIA bloc government formation, he added.

All contractual workers in the Bihar government departments will be made permanent. Also, all 'Jeevika Didis' will be made permanent and given a monthly salary of Rs 30,000, the manifesto said.

The manifesto also promised IT parks, SEZs, dairy and agro-based industries, an education city and five new expressways in the state.

"People of Bihar want a crime-free and scam-free regime... they will teach a lesson to NDA in the polls," Yadav said.

People want a government that would provide 'padhai' (better education), 'dawai' (better health facilities), 'kamai' (employment) and 'sichai' (better irrigation facilities), he said.

"The NDA has no vision for Bihar... they have not released the manifesto for the polls so far... BJP leaders and corrupt officials have made Chief Minister Nitish Kumar a puppet... The BJP is using Nitish Kumar to further its interest... Union Home Minister Amit Shah has already made it clear that Nitish will not be the CM face," he alleged.

"The Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act has completely failed. If the INDIA bloc is voted to power, we will remove the ban on toddy (tari)," Yadav said.

"The INDIA bloc manifesto is the roadmap for the development of Bihar. It is a resolution to make the state number one," he added.

A banner was put at the manifesto release venue featuring the photographs of all prominent INDIA bloc leaders.