Patna: The Mahagathbandhan, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, on Tuesday unveiled its election manifesto titled ‘Bihar Ka Tejashwi Pran’, pledging a law within 20 days of forming the government to ensure one government job for every family in the state.

The manifesto outlines several welfare measures, including the ‘Mai-Behin Maan Yojana’ that promises Rs 2,500 monthly financial assistance to women starting December 1 for five years. It also promises the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), which the Congress has backed in other states, including Himachal Pradesh and Haryana.

Among major community-centric commitments, the alliance pledged to halt the recently enacted Waqf (Amendment) Bill and make Waqf property management “transparent and welfare-oriented.” It also announced plans to transfer administration of Buddhist temples in Bodh Gaya to the local Buddhist community.

Caste-based reservation will also see a proposed expansion — reservations for the Most Backward Classes in Panchayat and Municipal bodies will rise from 20 per cent to 30 per cent, for Scheduled Castes from 16 per cent to 20 per cent, and a proportionate increase for Scheduled Tribes will follow.

Other welfare guarantees include 200 units of free electricity per household, assured procurement of all crops at the minimum support price, and revival of Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs). New mandis will be established at the divisional, subdivision, and block levels. Additionally, free health insurance coverage up to Rs 25 lakh will be provided under the Jan Swasthya Suraksha Yojana.

RJD leader and Chief Ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav released the manifesto in the presence of Deputy CM candidate and VIP chief Mukesh Sahani, Congress leader Pawan Khera, and CPI(ML) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya.

Taking a swipe at the ruling NDA, Khera said the Opposition alliance was “the first to announce its Chief Ministerial candidate and the first to release its manifesto,” contrasting their “pran” (resolve) with what he termed the NDA’s “jumla.”

The Mahagathbandhan comprises RJD, Congress, CPI(ML), CPI, CPM, and VIP, while the NDA includes BJP, JD(U), LJP (Ram Vilas), HAM (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. Meanwhile, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj has announced plans to contest all 243 seats.

Bihar will vote in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results to be declared on November 14.

With inputs from ANI