The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led Mahagathbandhan alliance in Bihar has unveiled its common manifesto, placing a strong emphasis on critical areas such as depoliticizing the police force, ensuring transparent appointments for station in-charges, and implementing comprehensive measures to bolster law and order across the state.
Sources close to the alliance indicate that the full manifesto is expected to be officially released shortly after the upcoming Chhath Puja festivities.
The Mahagathbandhan intends to sharply criticize what it describes as the prevailing ‘goonda raj’ (gangster rule) under the current administration, drawing attention to high-profile criminal incidents like the recent murder of Patna businessman Gopal Khemka. This strategic focus on law and order also serves to directly address the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) long-standing accusation that Bihar experienced ‘jungle raj’ (anarchy) during the tenure of RJD leader Lalu Prasad.
Just recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a virtual address to BJP booth workers, reiterated this historical narrative, asserting that Bihar’s ‘jungle raj’ would remain a stark memory for the next century.
A source revealed that the alliance’s manifesto will not only expose the ‘goonda raj’ – with a clever play on words noting ‘NDA’ within ‘goonda’ – but also meticulously detail actionable steps for enhancing the state’s security framework.
Beyond its political implications, this strong emphasis on law and order is also a deliberate attempt to reassure the industrial sector, signaling that their investments would be secure and protected under a Mahagathbandhan government.
A crucial pillar of the manifesto is the commitment to generate extensive employment opportunities and significantly reduce ‘palayaan’ (migration for jobs). This will be achieved by robustly developing manpower-intensive sectors like healthcare and education within Bihar.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in a recent social media post, acknowledged the diligence and capability of Bihar’s youth, but lamented how ‘systemic and government failures are shattering their dreams’.
He highlighted the despair faced by young people who, already struggling with unemployment and forced migration, have their hopes for jobs crushed by recurring exam paper leaks. Furthermore, he criticized the government’s response to their demands for justice, which often results in ‘indiscriminate lathi-charge’ (baton charges).
Mr. Gandhi vowed that the alliance would collectively address this dire situation, pledging to undertake all necessary measures to safeguard the rights and ensure a prosperous future for Bihar’s youth.
Social justice is another cornerstone of the Mahagathbandhan’s agenda. The alliance leaders have specifically launched an ‘Ati Pichhda Nyay Sankalp Patra’ (Extremely Backward Class Justice Resolution Document) tailored for the Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs).
Their key promises for EBCs include: enacting an Atrocities Prevention Act; boosting EBC reservation in local governance from 20% to 30%; circumventing the 50% reservation ceiling through a Ninth Schedule law; outlawing the ‘Not Found Suitable’ clause; providing land for landless EBC individuals; implementing reservations in private educational institutions and government contracts; conducting a comprehensive caste census; and establishing a dedicated Reservation Regulatory Authority to ensure fair quota implementation.
These extensive measures are strategically designed to resonate with Bihar’s significant 36% EBC population and draw support away from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s traditional voter base.