Patna: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Friday released its joint manifesto, ‘Sankalp Patra’, for the upcoming high-stakes Bihar Assembly elections, placing job creation and women’s empowerment at the heart of its vision for the state.

The manifesto was unveiled in Patna by Union Minister and BJP president JP Nadda, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Union Minister and HAM(S) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi, Union Minister and LJP(RV) chief Chirag Paswan, RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha, and other senior alliance leaders.

In its Sankalp Patra, the NDA has promised to generate one crore jobs for Bihar’s youth and announced several welfare measures aimed at women’s empowerment.

One of its key initiatives includes providing financial assistance of up to ₹2 lakh to create at least one crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’—a program aimed at helping women become financially independent through entrepreneurship and self-help groups.

The alliance also pledged ₹10 lakh financial support for individuals from Economically Backward Classes (EBCs) and announced plans to upgrade Mega Skill Centres in each district into ‘Global Skilling Centres’ to enhance employability and skill training.

Earlier this week, the Opposition Mahagathbandhan, led by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, had released its manifesto titled ‘Bihar Ka Tejashwi Prann’, setting the stage for a sharp contest of promises between the two major alliances.

The 2025 Bihar Assembly elections are set to witness a fierce battle primarily between the NDA—comprising BJP, JD(U), LJP(RV), HAM(S), and RLM—and the Mahagathbandhan, which includes RJD, Congress, CPI-ML, CPI, CPM, and VIP. Meanwhile, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj has also announced its intent to contest all 243 seats.

Voting for Bihar’s 243-member Assembly will take place in two phases on November 6 and 11, while the counting of votes will be held on November 14.