On Thursday, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman released the BJP's manifesto and assured 11 major changes. The BJP manifesto has pitched in the changes with 'Bhajpa Hai Toh Bharosa Hai' (Where there is BJP, there is Trust) slogan, whereas the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led Grand Alliance (GA) joint manifesto promised a change thrusting on ‘Badlav Ka Sankalp’ (commitment to change). On the other hand, the Lok Janshakti Party now led by Chirag Paswan is trying to win the pitch with the slogan ‘Bihar first Bihari first”.
Meanwhile Janata Dal (United) is yet to pitch its manifesto for Bihar elections. With promises galore, we compare the election agenda of major political parties on critical fronts from education, job to development.
On employment generation:
RJD has promised that people at equal work will get equal pay. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav also promised jobs to thousands of youngsters and repealing the new farm laws recently enacted by the central government if they are elected to power. It has assured 10 lakh jobs to the residents of the state if voted to power.
On the other hand, the BJP manifesto said that under the New Education policy the government will roll out courses in engineering and medical in the Hindi language. The saffron party promised to appoint 3 lakh teachers in the coming year in Schools, high schools, and colleges.
While promising to turn Bihar into an IT hub and creating 5 lakh more opportunities in the coming five years, the BJP has promised to make 1 crore Bihar women independent or Atmanirbhar with the help of the Microfinance department contributing 50 thousand crore. The saffron party has promised 19 lakh jobs in total countering main rival RJD's 10 lakh.
The Congress, which is contesting in 70 out of 243 seats in alliance with the RJD and 3 Left parties, also promised a loan waiver for farmers having small and medium landholdings.
Apart from promising Rs 1,500 to unemployed youth every month, it will, like Punjab, pass a separate farm law in Bihar Assembly if brought to power. Implementing the Rajiv Gandhi Krishi Nyaya Yojna - a direct cash transfer scheme envisaged during the Lok Sabha polls 2019 for farmers, it will provide Rs 800 as honorary pension for the elderly and women in the State and Rs 1,000 for those above 80 years of age.
The Congress’ manifesto also promised waiver of electricity bills up to 100 units, the restoration of 2.42 lakh teacher posts in 18 months and an increase in irrigation facilities also.
On education front:
BJP committed to starting the second AIIMS of Bihar by 2024 which will help Bihar residents the best medical facility in the country.
While RJD aims set up ‘Karpoori Sahayata Shram Kendra’ across state to help people in need. Focussing on the education sector, 12 per cent state budget will be spent on education and there will be one teacher on every 30 students in Primary schools and one teacher on 35 students in secondary school. The RJD manifesto also mentioned appointment of art, computer and sports teacher for every school. Under ‘Smart Gram Yojana’, a clinic with a doctor and nurse will be established in every panchayat.
On the other hand, LJP promised developing state-of-the-art medical and engineering institutions to prevent the youth from leaving the state. There are other big ticket promises by the party such as setting up a coaching city like that in Rajasthan’s Kota, if voted to power, so that students from Bihar do not have to migrate to cities in other States. The party promises free rides for women in the government buses.
What are other key promises?
The LJP’s vision document seeks building of a grand ‘Sita Maiya’ temple in Sitamarhi to promote spiritual tourism on the lines of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) promises free Covid-19 vaccination for everyone in Bihar.
RJD also mentioned about providing electricity in the rural areas and better facilities to the citizens. Meanwhile BJP promised to provide 'Pucca houses' to 30 lakh residents of rural Bihar by 2022 under the PM housing scheme. LJP's vision document mentioned linking rivers to end the problem of flood and drought in the State
Bihar goes to polls on October 28, November 03, and 07. The counting of votes will take place on November 10.