In this image posted on Oct. 23, 2025, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav with CPI(ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, Congress leader Ashok Gehlot and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani during joint press conference of the Mahagathbandhan, in Patna. The opposition INDIA bloc on Thursday declared Yadav its chief ministerial candidate for the Bihar assembly elections
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Depoliticisation of the police force, a transparent process for appointing station in-charges, and measures to strengthen law and order are among the key focus areas of the common manifesto drafted by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led Mahagathbandhan in Bihar.
The manifesto is likely to be released soon after Chhath Puja next week, said a source aware of the developments.
The Mahagathbandhan plans to highlight what it calls the current “goonda raj”, citing recent high-profile crimes, including the murder of businessman Gopal Khemka in Patna three months ago. The emphasis on law and order is intended to counter the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) charge that Bihar under RJD leader Lalu Prasad was synonymous with “jungle raj”.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while virtually addressing BJP booth-level workers, said that “jungle raj in Bihar” would be remembered for the next hundred years.
“Our manifesto will highlight the goonda raj, as the word goonda itself has ‘NDA’ in it. It will also outline specific steps to strengthen law and order,” the source told The Hindu.
Beyond political messaging, the stress on law and order is also meant to reassure industry that investments would be safe if the Mahagathbandhan comes to power.
Creating employment opportunities and curbing palayan (migration for jobs) by developing manpower-intensive sectors such as health and education is another major priority.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said Bihar’s youth are hardworking and capable but “systemic and government failures are shattering their dreams”.
“When youth, already suffering from unemployment and migration, find a sliver of hope for jobs, they are dashed by leaked exam papers. And when they demand justice, they are met with indiscriminate lathi-charge,” Mr. Gandhi said.
“Together, we will change this situation. We will take every necessary step to protect the rights of youth and their bright future,” he added.
The social justice plank also features prominently, with Mahagathbandhan leaders releasing an Ati Pichhda Nyay Sankalp Patra for Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs).
Key pledges include enacting an EBC Atrocities Prevention Act, increasing EBC reservation in local bodies from 20% to 30%, removing the 50% reservation cap through a Ninth Schedule law, and making the “Not Found Suitable” clause illegal. The alliance also promises land for landless EBCs, reservation in private education and government contracts, a caste census, and a Reservation Regulatory Authority to oversee quotas.
These measures aim to appeal to Bihar’s 36% EBC population and make inroads into Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s core support base.
Published – October 24, 2025 05:23 pm IST
