Jobs, infra, women and more: NDA, Mahagathbandhan manifestos for Bihar elections compared

he National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Friday unveiled its joint manifesto for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

Six days before the onset of the Bihar elections, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Friday released its manifesto, or ‘Sankalp Patra’, for the state. The NDA manifesto promises to create jobs, boost industrial growth, and expand infrastructure across the state.

Released on Tuesday, the Mahagathbandhan’s manifesto, titled “Nyay, Rozgar aur Samman" (Justice, Employment and Dignity), laid a road map focusing on employment, welfare, and governance reforms.

Here's where the two major alliances stand on key issues and how they stack up against each other.

Youth and jobs

The NDA promised over 1 crore jobs through government and private opportunities, skill census and mega skill centres in every district, if elected to power. The INDIA alliance, on the other hand, said one member from every family will be given a government job within 20 days of assuming power. It also aimed at creating 20 lakh jobs in government and private sectors within five years through a State Employment Commission and revival of closed industries.

Gig workers

The NDA promised financial aid, skill training, Rs 4 lakh life insurance for drivers, and collateral-free vehicle loans for gig workers. However, the INDIA bloc manifesto did not mention gig workers.

Women empowerment

The Mahagatbandhan promised employment of all Community Mobiliser (CM) Didis will be made permanent. They will be paid Rs 30,000 per month. The interest due on loans taken by them will be waived off, and no interest shall be charged for two years. It also stated that women will be given Rs 2,500 every month as economic aid, and till next five years will be given Rs 30,000 per year. If elected, the government promised to bring BETI and MAI schemes to ensure “benefits”, “education”, “training” and “income” for daughters and “house”, “food” and “income” for mothers.

However, the NDA promised no direct cash rollout. It promised up to Rs 2 lakh assistance under Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana, one crore Lakhpati Didis and “Mission Crorepati” for women entrepreneurs.

Focus on EBCs

With EBCs making up 36% of Bihar’s population, Tejashwi’s manifesto promised to introduce a Most Backward Class Atrocities Prevention Act and ensure reservation and representation proportional to their population share.

Meanwhile, the NDA Sankalp Patra promised Rs 10 lakh financial aid for the various EBC communities and a high-level committee under a retired Supreme Court judge for fair upliftment measures.

Infra push

The NDA promises to implement the Bihar Gati Shakti Master Plan with seven expressways, 3,600 km modern rail tracks, and Amrit Bharat and NaMo Rapid Rail services. It also promises to build Sitapuram near Janaki’s birthplace as a spiritual heritage city. The manifesto also promises greenfield international airports near Patna, Darbhanga, Purnia, and Bhagalpur, domestic flights from 10 new cities and a metro in four cities. The creation of defence corridor, a semiconductor park, global capability centres, a mega tech city, and a FinTech City are part of its infra promises in Bihar.

Industrial development

The Mahagathbandhan manifesto also focused on industrial revival and regional economic growth, promising a new Bihar Industrial Development Policy. The alliance promised tax incentives, land banks and a single-window clearance system to ease business operations, alongside reliable power, road and digital infrastructure.

The NDA also promised the establishment of modern manufacturing units and 10 new industrial parks across the state. It promised the establishment of modern manufacturing units and 10 new industrial parks across the state. It pledged to create 100 MSME parks and promote 50,000 cottage industries under ‘Vocal for Local’.

Education

The NDA manifesto said it will build an Education City with Rs 5,000 crore investment, revamp schools, create centres of excellence, and promote AI training. It also promised Rs 2,000 per month for scheduled caste students in higher education, residential schools in every subdivision, and a special venture fund for enterprises.

On the other hand, Mahagathbandhan promised free education up to graduation level, with laptops for every college student and scholarships for girls and underprivileged youth. It said teacher vacancies would also be filled, and skill development centers would be established in every district.

The NDA promised to ensure free modern education for poor families, nutritious meals, and advanced digital labs in schools.

Health sector

The NDA said it would establish MedCity, complete medical colleges in every district, build super-speciality hospitals and schools for child diseases and autism. The alliance proposes the Jan Swasthya Suraksha Plan, which will provide free healthcare up to Rs 10 lakh per family. All district hospitals and primary health centers will be modernised and a State Medical Supply Corporation will ensure uninterrupted access to medicines.

On the other hand, the INDI alliance proposed the Jan Swasthya Suraksha Plan, which will provide free healthcare up to Rs 10 lakh per family.

Agriculture

The NDA promised to launch “Karpuri Thakur Kisan Samman Nidhi” with Rs 3,000 annual aid, Rs 1 lakh crore agri-infrastructure investment and MSP procurement of key crops. It also said it would provide Rs 9,000 assistance for fishermen, doubling production through the Matsya Mission, and building the Bihar Dairy Mission for chilling and processing centres in every block.

The Mahagathbandhan manifesto guarantees loan waivers for small and marginal farmers, free electricity for irrigation and higher MSPs than national standards. A Kisan Nyay Yojana will also ensure fair compensation and crop insurance for all cultivators.