NDA Releases Manifesto Sankalp Patra

New Delhi:The NDA on Friday released its manifesto for the upcoming Assembly polls in Bihar. The poll document for "a developed Bihar" promises one crore jobs for youth, mega skill centres in every district, one crore "Lakhpathi Didis", metro train services in four cities and seven international airports in the state, among others.

In the joint Sankalp Patra for the Assembly polls, the ruling alliance has promised `10 lakhs financial assistance to various professional groups belonging to the extremely backward caste (EBC) category, which is NDA's core vote-bank in the state.

The NDA manifesto also promises seven expressways, 10 industrial parks, free quality education from KG to PG. In its 69-page manifesto, the ruling alliance promises to set up a world-class medicity, one medical college in each district, free rations, free treatment up to `5 lakhs and 50 lakhs more pucca houses.

The alliance has also promised "Punaura Dham Janki Mandir", a Hindu pilgrimage site in Sitamarhi district, which is considered the birthplace of the Goddess Sita, to be named as "Sitapuram".

The manifesto was released at a press conference at Patna and was attended by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, BJP president J.P. Nadda, Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Jitan Ram Manjhi of the HAM, Chirag Paswan of LJP(RV) and other leaders of alliance partners.

Sounding confident that the NDA efforts will receive the "full support" of the people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the manifesto for the Bihar Assembly elections clearly brings forward "our vision for a self-reliant and developed Bihar."

"It reflects our commitment to making life easier for the farmers, brothers and sisters, youth companions, mothers and sisters here, as well as all my family members of the state. The state’s double-engine government has left no stone unturned in ensuring all-round development of Bihar, as a result of which our state has witnessed major transformations. We are determined to accelerate this momentum further and make good governance the foundation of prosperity for every individual," Mr Modi posted on X.

The NDA, if voted to power, promises the establishment of mega skill centres in every district, which will be further developed into global skilling facilities.

Under the Chief Minister Women Employment Scheme, financial assistance of up to `2 lakhs will be provided to women for prosperity and self-reliance.

"One crore Lakhpathi Didis will also be made by the NDA, and through the 'Mission Crorepati' initiative, the NDA alliance government will work towards making identified women entrepreneurs millionaires," the manifesto said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the Lakhpati Didi initiative in 2023, aimed at training women in self-help groups so that they can earn a sustainable income of at least `1 lakh per annum per household.

The NDA also promised free rations, free treatment worth `5 lakhs, 50 lakh more pucca houses for the poor under the "Panchamrit" guarantees.

According to the manifesto, the NDA, if voted to power, will increase the financial assistance under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi from `6,000 to `9,000 annually, enhance aid for fishermen from `4,500 to `9,000 annually, and provide a minimum support price for all crops.

In the education sector, the NDA promised residential schools for SC/ST students in every division, `2,000 per month for SC/ST students studying in higher education institutions and up to `10 lakhs assistance for EBC category students. Free quality education from KG to PG for poor students, midday meals in schools and `5,000 crores on budget for the upgradation of important schools featured on the list of NDA promises.

Mr Nadda, in a post on X, wrote, "This manifesto is a document of our commitment to the welfare of farmers, employment for the youth, empowerment of women, infrastructure development, establishing new enterprises, and building a developed and self-reliant Bihar."

Mr Pradhan said this joint manifesto of the NDA is "a document inspired by the invaluable suggestions of Bihar's esteemed people, reflecting their aspirations". "The manifesto is "a blueprint for the state's all-round development and the empowerment of every section of society," he said.