The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to launch its election manifesto for the Bihar polls after the conclusion of the Chhath Puja festival, with October 28 being the targeted release date, according to sources familiar with the matter. The party is positioning the upcoming elections as a significant contest between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), of which the BJP is a key member, and the opposition’s Mahagathbandhan. Notably, the allies within the NDA have opted to release individual manifestos rather than a unified common agenda.
Bihar is scheduled to hold its elections on November 6 and November 11, with the results to be declared on November 14.
Senior party officials indicated that the manifesto is finalized, and the campaign efforts have already commenced. However, recognizing the cultural significance of Chhath Puja as a major festival in Bihar, the decision was made to postpone the manifesto release until after the festivities. This timing will also allow for an intensified campaign, featuring rallies led by prominent leaders such as Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Between October 4 and 20, the BJP conducted a ‘Sujhav Yatra’ (suggestion tour) across the state. Through its ‘Ghar Ghar Jan Sampark Abhiyan’ (door-to-door campaign), party members engaged with a diverse range of constituents, including students, first-time voters, women, professionals, and farmers, to gather feedback on current schemes and solicit suggestions for future policies.
A 13-member committee has been formed to draft the manifesto, which will primarily focus on key areas such as development, infrastructure enhancement, law and order improvements, and strategies for economic growth.
“We are driven to create infrastructure on the ground that will invite investment, curb migration and empower entrepreneurs,” stated one of the functionaries.
In the midst of campaigning where both the NDA and Mahagathbandhan are vying for voter support, particularly women, through various incentives and financial aid, the BJP has been critical of the RJD’s promises. The party questioned the feasibility of claims made by Tejashwi Yadav regarding permanent jobs for ‘Jeevika Didis’, citing the immense financial burden such a move would place on the state’s exchequer. Highlighting Bihar’s budget for 2025-26, which was ₹3,16,895.02 crore, the BJP pointed out that the cost of permanent jobs alone could amount to ₹4,22,000 crore, suggesting that voters are discerning enough to recognize unsubstantiated promises.
This comes shortly after the NDA government distributed ₹10,000 to eligible women under the ‘Mukhya Mantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana’ scheme. Tejashwi Yadav had previously announced that his party would offer permanent government jobs with a monthly salary of ₹30,000 and interest-free loans to women in Jeevika or self-help groups if they came to power.
“A lot has been accomplished by the NDA government and there is much more to be done… the decades of RJD’s misrule and the severe impact it had on the state’s law and order will be the mainstay of our campaign and will also find mention in the manifesto,” added another party source.