As Bihar braces for Assembly elections scheduled in two phases on November 6 and 11, Chief Minister Mr. Nitish Kumar has launched an aggressive campaign highlighting his 20-year governance legacy while announcing a series of targeted welfare schemes aimed at youth, women, marginalized communities, and welfare workers.
Addressing a rally in Muzaffarpur, Mr. Kumar reminded voters of the transformation from the lawless pre-2005 era to what he called a “peaceful, progressive Bihar” under his leadership. “Today there is peace, brotherhood, and development in Bihar,” he said, contrasting the present with past governance challenges.
Major Employment Promise: 1 Crore Jobs in 5 Years
Central to Mr. Kumar’s campaign is a massive employment pitch. He claimed that 50 lakh youth have already secured government jobs under his tenure and that his government aims to generate 1 crore jobs over the next five years, if re-elected.
To support unemployed youth, the state will provide Rs. 1,000 monthly unemployment allowance for two years to graduates and Class 12 pass-outs who remain jobless.
Free Electricity and Tech for Welfare Workers
In a significant shift from his earlier opposition to freebies, Mr. Kumar has announced free electricity for households consuming up to 125 units per month, a move aimed at easing household expenses and appealing to the lower- and middle-income electorate.
Additionally, over 10,000 Vikas Mitras—village-level facilitators from SC/ST communities—will receive Rs. 25,000 each to purchase tablets, along with increased transport (Rs. 2,500) and stationery (Rs. 1,500) allowances.
Over 30,000 Shiksha Sevaks and Talimi Markaz, who work to bring marginalized children into formal education, will receive Rs. 10,000 for smartphones to aid their outreach work.
Women and Worker Support Strengthened
The government also launched the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, offering Rs. 10,000 as seed capital to women entrepreneurs and up to Rs. 2 lakh after business assessment, aiming to promote self-employment among women.
Other announcements include:
- Rs. 5,000 clothing allowance for registered construction workers
- Honorarium increases for Jeevika, Anganwadi, and ASHA workers
- Rs. 700 increase in pensions for senior citizens, widows, and persons with disabilities
- Rs. 1,100 pension now directly transferred to 1.11 crore social security beneficiaries
Shifting Ground: JDU Holds, BJP Gains
While Mr. Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) has remained a dominant force in Bihar politics, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made steady electoral gains, especially since the 2020 Assembly elections.
In 2020, BJP outpaced JDU for the first time—winning 74 out of 110 seats (67.27% strike rate), while JDU won 43 of 115 (37.39% strike rate). The growing strength of BJP, coupled with changing voter dynamics, is setting the stage for a high-stakes political contest in 2025.
Development vs. Change: What’s at Stake?
With his focus on long-term governance, infrastructure development, and welfare distribution, Mr. Kumar is banking on public trust and administrative continuity. However, BJP’s rising momentum, shifting alliances, and voter appetite for change are making this election one of Bihar’s most fiercely contested battles in recent memory.
The voters now face a crucial choice: to extend two decades of Nitish Kumar’s leadership, or to give way to an alternative narrative driven by BJP’s growing appeal and promises of accelerated transformation.
