NDA RELEASES ‘SANKLAP PATRA’ PROMISES 1 CRORE JOBS AND ‘LAKHPATI DIDI’

NDA RELEASES ‘SANKLAP PATRA’ PROMISES 1 CRORE JOBS AND ‘LAKHPATI DIDI’

31-OCT-ENG 4

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA------------------------------Amidst the excitement surrounding the Bihar Assembly elections, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) released its joint 'Sankalp Patra' in Patna on Friday. Launched in the presence of BJP President JP Nadda and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the manifesto unfurls a plethora of promises. The NDA has made major announcements, including 1 crore government jobs, making 1 crore women 'Lakhpati Didi' (women's lakhpatis), and doubling farmer assistance.

While the NDA is calling it a roadmap for a 'developed Bihar,' the Grand Alliance has sharply questioned the funding, calling it a '26-second jumla' and a 'pack of lies.' Key promises of the "Sankalp Patra":

• Employment: Government jobs and employment opportunities for 1 crore youth.

• Women: Making 1 crore women "Lakhpati Didi" under "Mission Crorepati."

• Farmers: Increasing the Kisan Samman Nidhi from ₹6,000 to ₹9,000, and guaranteeing MSP on all crops.

• Poor Welfare: 50 lakh new pucca houses and 125 units of free electricity.

• Infrastructure: 7 new expressways, metro in 4 cities, and making Sitamarhi a "spiritual city."

"Maha Yagya" of employment: Target of 1 crore

The main focus of the NDA's manifesto is on Bihar's most pressing problem, unemployment. The alliance has promised to perform a "Maha Yagya" of government jobs and employment opportunities for 1 crore youth.

• Under this, the target is to establish Mega Skill Centers, 10 new industrial parks, 100 MSME parks, and 50,000 cottage industries in every district.

• BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad claimed that 5 million jobs have been created in the last decade and this number will now be doubled.

Women and Farmers: A Direct Focus on the Vote Bank

After employment, the NDA has made a major effort to woo the women and farmer vote banks.

• Women Empowerment: 'Mission Crorepati' will be launched to make 1 crore women 'Lakhpati Didi'. Additionally, assistance of up to ₹2 lakh will be provided under the 'Women Employment Scheme'.

• Farmer Welfare: There is a promise to increase the Samman Nidhi for farmers from ₹6,000 to ₹9,000. Assistance for fishermen will also be increased from ₹4,500 to ₹9,000. The NDA has also announced a guaranteed MSP for all crops and an investment of ₹1 lakh crore in agricultural infrastructure.

Poor Welfare: 50 lakh new pucca houses, 125 units of free electricity, and social security pensions are also included in the manifesto.

Dream of a 'Developed Bihar' through Infrastructure

The NDA has made a big bet on infrastructure to break Bihar's image of backwardness.

• 3,600 km of rail track will be modernized along with 7 new expressways.

• International airports are promised in Patna, Darbhanga, Purnia, and Bhagalpur.

• Metro services are planned in 4 new cities in the state.

• Additionally, the promise of a defense corridor, a semiconductor park, and developing Sitamarhi as a 'spiritual city' is being seen as an attempt to capitalize on the Ram Mandir wave.

Political Analysis: Focus on Youth and Women, but Funding Questions

This manifesto is clearly an attempt to address Bihar's demographics. 60% of the state's population is under 35, and the unemployment rate is above 15%. The promise of 1 crore jobs is being seen as a direct counter to Tejashwi Yadav's 2020 promise of 10 lakh jobs.

However, experts are raising questions about the source of funding. It is unclear whether such a large budget will come from central assistance or the state treasury. Considering the NDA government has provided an average of 2-3 lakh jobs in the last five years, the target of 1 crore is a significant challenge.

The focus on women is also strategic, as the voting percentage of women (59%) in 2020 was higher than that of men. The 'Lakhpati Didi' scheme is an attempt to replicate the successful model of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh in Bihar.

The Opposition's sharp counterattack: "A resolution of lies"

As soon as the manifesto was released, the Grand Alliance bombarded the NDA with questions.

• Congress leader Ashok Gehlot dismissed it as a "26-second press conference" and called it a "pack of lies."

• RJD's Misa Bharti posed the most pointed question about funding. She asked, "Where will the money come from? From whose father's house?" Misa reminded that Nitish Kumar had implemented Tejashwi Yadav's promise of 1 million jobs in 2020.

• DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran called it a "copycat" of Tamil Nadu's schemes.

• The opposition also took a dig at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's "silence" during the press conference. Congress said he has become "Silent Nitish."

'Resolution' vs. 'Change'

The NDA's 'Resolution Letter' presents a grand vision for a 'developed' Bihar, but its credibility will depend on its implementation. In the 2025 electoral battle, while the NDA is fighting to retain power with the help of a 'double engine', the Grand Alliance is attempting a comeback with the help of 'change' and 'justice letter'. The election's outcome will depend on whom Bihar's youth and women voters place their trust in this time.