28 October,2025 07:21 PM IST | Patna | mid-day online correspondent
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav (centre), along with other leaders of the Mahagathbandhan alliance, releases the Opposition’s manifesto for the Bihar Assembly elections, in Patna. PIC/PTI
The Mahagathbandhan, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress, on Tuesday released its election manifesto titled âBihar Ka Tejashwi Pran'. The alliance has promised to pass a law within 20 days of forming the government to provide government jobs to one member of every family in the state, news agency ANI reported.
According to the manifesto, under the âMai-Behin Maan Yojana', women will receive financial assistance of Rs 2,500 per month starting from December 1 for the next five years.
The opposition alliance has also pledged to restore the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), ANI reported. The OPS has been part of the Congress' broader agenda, with the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government in Himachal Pradesh having reinstated it soon after assuming office.
Congress had also included the scheme in its manifesto for the Haryana Assembly Elections.
The Mahagathbandhan further promised to put the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on hold and make the management of Waqf properties "welfare-oriented and transparent", ANI reported.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed by Parliament earlier this year after a detailed debate, despite opposition from several parties.
The President gave her assent to the Bill on April 5.
Adding to the assurances for religious minorities, the alliance said the management of Buddhist temples in Bodh Gaya would be handed over to members of the community.
The manifesto also proposes an increase in the reservation quota for the Most Backward Classes in panchayats and municipal bodies from 20 to 30 per cent. For Scheduled Castes (SCs), the limit will be raised from 16 to 20 per cent, and a proportionate rise in the reservation for Scheduled Tribes (STs) will also be ensured, the manifesto promised.
The opposition alliance has also promised 200 units of free electricity for every family. The manifesto further states that farmers will be guaranteed procurement of all crops at the minimum support price (MSP), while mandis and market committees will be revived at the divisional, subdivision, and block levels. The APMC Act will also be reinstated, the opposition stated in its poll promise.
Further, the Mahagathbandhan has guaranteed free health insurance of up to Rs 25 lakh for every individual under the âJan Swasthya Suraksha Yojana'.
RJD leader and Mahagathbandhan's chief ministerial face Tejashwi Yadav, along with deputy chief ministerial candidate and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) head Mukesh Sahani, Congress leader Pawan Khera, and Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya, were present at the release of âBihar Ka Tejashwi Pran'.
Speaking at the event, Khera said the opposition alliance was the first to announce its Chief Ministerial candidate as well as the first to release its manifesto. Taking a jibe at the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), he called the ruling bloc's poll promises "jumla."
"The Mahagathbandhan was the first to announce its chief ministerial candidate. It also released its manifesto first. Theirs is a âjumla', while this is our âpran' (resolve). This shows who is serious about Bihar. We decided from day one what we would do for Bihar. We have to get Bihar back on track. Today is a very auspicious day as the state of Bihar was waiting for this âpran'," Khera said.
In the run-up to the 2025 Bihar Elections, the main contest is between NDA and the Mahagathbandhan.
The NDA includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha.
Additionally, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj has also announced its contention on all the 243 seats in the state. The Bihar Elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, and the results will be declared on November 14.
(With ANI inputs)
