The Mahagathbandhan released its joint manifesto in Patna on Tuesday, titled "Bihar ka Tejashwi Prann," ahead of the assembly elections in the state. INDIA bloc's Chief Ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister Candidate and VIP Chief Pawan Sahani, Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera, and CPI General Secretary Dibankar Bhattacharya were present during the press conference.
As the high-stakes battle is all lit up for another showdown, the grand alliance looks forward to challenging the long-incumbent NDA led by current Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The Mahagathbandhan is also the first to declare its election manifesto so far, after it revealed Tejashwi Yadav's face for the Chief Ministerial position.
But it was Rahul Gandhi's absence that posed questions, yet again. Upon this, Pawan Khera clarified, "Tejashwi Yadav is the CM face of our alliance. We have announced that after winning the elections, he will become the CM."
Further slamming the BJP, it called the party's poll promises mere "jumlas." Adding, "Those raising questions don't have the guts to announce Nitish Kumar as the CM face of the NDA."
"Tejashwi ka Prann" is similar to "Modi ki guarantee", on which the BJP has heavily banked. Moreover, the "Viksit Bihar" call echoes the Union Government's "Viksit Bharat" vision. The manifesto states big promises, especially for women and the elderly, with a vow to overturn NDA's reign in the fourth largest legislative assembly of India.
Mahagathbandhan calls its election manifesto a "people-centric vision for change." The wide range of promises includes:
After forming its government, just within 20 days, it has pledged to pass a law providing one government job to at least one person in every family in the state. It will also restore the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for the retired government employees in Bihar.
It has also promised to put the Waqf Amendment Bill on hold, with a more transparent and welfare-oriented management of the properties.
The reservation for the most backward classes in the Panchayat and Municipal bodies will be raised from the present 20 percent to 30 percent. For the scheduled castes, it will be increased from 16 to 20 percent, with a significant hike for the scheduled tribes also.
Women will receive Rs 2,500 per month under the Mai-Behin Maan Yojana, starting from December 1. This will amount to Rs 30,000 per year for five years.
Further, every household will get 200 units of free electricity every month.
As the INDIA bloc gets elected in Bihar, within 20 months of its formation, the employment guarantee scheme will be implemented in the state.
Under the Jan Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, the alliance promises free health insurance of up to Rs 25 lakh for every individual.
Jeevika Didis will be provided permanent government jobs at a remuneration of Rs 30,000 per month.
The APMC Act will be restored, with crops bought at MSP, with the revival of mandis and market committees.
Establishment of IT parks all across the state.
Buddhist temples in Bodh Gaya will be managed by the people of the Buddhist community.
