In a significant political development ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for November 6 and 11, the Mahagathbandhan alliance—comprising the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, CPI(ML), and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP)—released its joint election manifesto titled ‘Bihar Ka Tejashwi Pran’ on October 28, 2025, in Patna.
The document was formally unveiled by RJD leader and Chief Ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav, alongside VIP chief Mukesh Sahani, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, and CPI(ML) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya. The alliance emphasized that it was the first to announce both its CM candidate and its manifesto, positioning itself as proactive and transparent compared to the ruling NDA, which is yet to release its election agenda.
The manifesto outlines a series of ambitious promises aimed at transforming Bihar’s socio-economic landscape. Key highlights include:
- Welfare and Infrastructure: Expansion of public welfare programs and infrastructure development to improve living standards across the state.
- Liquor Law Reform: A pledge to exempt toddy—a traditional local beverage—from the state’s stringent anti-liquor law, citing cultural and economic reasons.
- Repeal of Waqf Law: A strong stance against the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act, with Tejashwi Yadav declaring it would be “thrown into the dustbin” if the alliance comes to power.
- Old Pension Scheme: Plans to reinstate the Old Pension Scheme for government employees, reversing recent policy changes.
The manifesto, described as a vision document for inclusive governance, seeks to address long-standing issues of unemployment, social inequality, and administrative inefficiency. It also reflects the INDIA bloc’s broader national strategy of challenging BJP-led governance models.
Political analysts view the Mahagathbandhan’s early release of its manifesto as a tactical move to set the narrative and mobilize voter sentiment. With polling just days away and vote counting scheduled for November 14, the document is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping electoral discourse across Bihar.
