NDA promises 1 crore govt jobs, 1 crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’ in Bihar manifesto

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Friday (October 31) unveiled its manifesto for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, outlining a range of ambitious promises focused on youth employment, women’s empowerment, and welfare for backward communities.

The manifesto pledges the creation of over one crore government jobs across Bihar, along with the establishment of a “mega skills centre” in every district to promote youth upskilling. The alliance also promises to facilitate overseas employment opportunities for trained youth.

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The manifesto was released at a press conference in Patna attended by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, BJP president JP Nadda, Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Jitan Ram Manjhi, Chirag Paswan, and leaders of alliance partners.

For women, the NDA has announced financial assistance of up to Rs 2 lakh and the launch of an ambitious initiative to create one crore “Lakhpati Didis”, women earning at least Rs 1 lakh annually. In addition, a new “Mission Crorepati” will be introduced to help women achieve higher income levels, to produce women entrepreneurs earning Rs 1 crore or more.

Rs 10 lakh for EBCs

To uplift the extremely backward classes (EBCs), the manifesto assures financial aid of up to Rs 10 lakh and the formation of a dedicated committee to design new welfare schemes tailored to their needs.

Among its key promises to farmers, the NDA has committed to providing a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP), a long-standing demand from the agricultural community.

Seven expressways, 10 industrial parks, free quality education from KG to PG and Rs 2,000 aid per month for SC students pursuing higher education are some of the other features of the manifesto.

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The NDA, if voted to power, will also set up a world-class medicity, one medical college in each district, free ration, free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh and 50 lakh more pucca houses, according to the 69-page manifesto of the ruling NDA.

'Punaura Dham Janki Mandir', a Hindu pilgrimage site in Sitamarhi district that is considered the birthplace of the Goddess Sita, will be named as Sitapuram.

'Panchamrit' guarantees

“The NDA will provide more than 1 crore government jobs and employment opportunities, conduct a skill census to promote skill-based employment, and establish Mega Skill Centres in every district, which will be further developed into Global Skilling Centres," Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Choudhary said.

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Under the Chief Minister Women Employment Scheme, financial assistance of up to Rs 2 lakh will be provided to women for prosperity and self-reliance, if the NDA is returned to power, Choudhary said.

'Panchamrit' guarantees for the poor are free ration, free treatment worth Rs 5 lakh, 50 lakh more pucca houses.

The NDA also promised that the financial assistance under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi will be increased from Rs 6,000 to Rs 9,000 annually, aid for fishermen will be enhanced from Rs 4,500 to Rs 9,000 annually, and a minimum support price for all crops, the manifesto said.

Bihar Sports City and Centres of Excellence for sports in every division of the state will be opened, while one factory and 10 new industrial parks in every district will be set up, if the NDA is voted to power, the manifesto said.

It also promised 100 Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) parks and over 50,000 cottage industries, defence corridor and the opening of semiconductor manufacturing parks, etc.

In education sector, the NDA government promised residential schools for SC/ST students in every division, Rs 2,000 per month for SC/ST students studying in higher education institutions, up to Rs 10 lakh assistance for EBC category students, free quality education for children from poor families — from KG to PG, mid-day meals in schools and spending of Rs 5,000 crore on upgradation of important schools.

Seven expressways and the modernisation of 3,600 km of railway tracks have also been promised by the NDA in Bihar.

Manifesto released in '26 seconds': Congress

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Friday claimed that the NDA released its manifesto in a press conference that lasted only 26 seconds, as they are afraid of facing questions from journalists.

Addressing a press conference in Patna, Gehlot termed the NDA’s manifesto a “string of lies”.

He also wondered why Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, and not CM Nitish Kumar, spoke about the manifesto.

“Was he (Kumar) not in a position to speak about it?” the Congress leader asked.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh, who is also present at Gehlot’s press meet, claimed that Nitish Kumar not being allowed to speak on the manifesto was a disrespect for Bihar and Biharis.

Gehlot said, “NDA leaders’ press conference lasted merely 26 seconds. They were afraid of the questions that may have been asked by reporters about their governance.” They should have begun their press conference with a report card of their 20-year rule, he said.

Bihar Assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be announced on November 14.

(With agency inputs)