Tejashwi Yadav slams NDA manifesto, says alliance should issue a ‘sorry patra’ instead of ‘sankalp patra’

Tejashwi Yadav

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Mahagathbandhan’s Chief Ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav on Friday launched a sharp attack on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)’s manifesto, urging the alliance to issue a “sorry patra” (apology letter) instead of their ‘Sankalp Patra’ (manifesto). He argued that the NDA had failed to fulfil its previous promises and was now making new ones without accountability.

The RJD leader also questioned Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s health, suggesting that the CM “might not even be aware on what is written in the NDA's 'Sankalp Patra,' released six days before the Bihar assembly elections are set to commence".

"We want to say that with what we have seen, the NDA should bring in a 'sorry patra' (apology manifesto) and apologise to the fourteen crore people of Bihar that even after ruling for twenty years, Bihar is one of the poorest state," Tejashwi Yadav told reporters here.

Decrying the lack of factories and investments in Bihar, Yadav said, "There is no factory, no investment. The government has failed in all sectors, so they should have brought an apology patra. If you see their false joke of twenty years, the promises they had made for twenty years. Every manifesto that they have brought for twenty years, that manifesto must also say what happened to us?"

Criticising the NDA’s promise of building more hospitals in the state, Yadav alleged that while infrastructure might come up, the hospitals themselves would lack staff and facilities.

"They said that one will see hospitals and medical colleges will be built in every district. The medical college has no doctors, no nurses. There is no medicine, there is no treatment. Nothing is happening. So according to that, if you look. So send an apology letter to these people. These people should apologize to the 14 crore people of Bihar," he said.

Expressing confidence in the Mahagathbandhan’s prospects, Yadav said that voters had seen through the NDA’s tactics and would ensure a decisive victory for his alliance.

"This is just 'jumla'. People of Bihar have recognised their 'chaal, charitra'. They will give NDA a befitting reply this time. Mahagathbandhan will form the Govt. People of the state want to end unemployment," he added.

The NDA released its manifesto, titled ‘Sankalp Patra’, in Patna on Friday ahead of the high-stakes Bihar Assembly elections. The document promises to generate over one crore government jobs and employment opportunities, conduct a skills census to promote skills-based employment, and set up mega skill centres in every district, aiming to transform Bihar into a ‘Global Skilling Centre’.

The Mahagathbandhan had earlier unveiled its manifesto, ‘Tejashwi ka Prann’, outlining its own set of promises.

Voting for the 243-seat Bihar Assembly will take place in two phases on November 6 and 11, while bye-elections for eight seats across seven states and Union Territories are scheduled for November 11. Counting of votes for both will be held on November 14.

(With ANI inputs)