Daijiworld Media Network - Patna

Patna, Oct 28: Grand Alliance’s chief ministerial candidate and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday accused the NDA of attempting to “Upnivesh” (colonise) Bihar and urged government officials to uphold the Constitution and ensure free and fair elections.

Launching the Grand Alliance’s 25-point manifesto for the upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, Tejashwi said the document was prepared after extensive research and consultations with experts, placing employment generation and social welfare at its core.

The manifesto’s key promise — “One government job for one member of every family” — is its central focus, he said.

Tejashwi questioned the BJP’s silence on naming its chief ministerial face, noting that despite high-profile campaigners such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah touring Bihar, the NDA has not declared Nitish Kumar as its leader.

“We have released our joint manifesto, but the NDA has not even announced theirs. Why are they hiding their plan for Bihar? Why this silence on the CM candidate?” Tejashwi asked.

He accused the NDA of lacking vision and said, “While we are thinking about making Bihar the number one state, they are only thinking about how to capture it.”

Alleging misuse of administrative machinery, Tejashwi claimed that the NDA was using central forces and bureaucratic pressure to influence the polls.

“For the first time, 1,500 companies of paramilitary forces are being deployed. Some officials were allegedly told to slow polling in areas where Grand Alliance candidates are strong,” he said, warning, “Don’t let Bihar become an Upnivesh. You have taken an oath to the Constitution — uphold it.”

Tejashwi announced that the alliance would ensure videography at all polling stations to prevent malpractice and urged officials to act “honestly and impartially.”

Calling the 2025 election a “turning point”, he said, “On November 6 and 11, people have the chance to choose a government that prioritizes jobs, education, and development — and they will not miss it.”

Tejashwi also hit out at the ruling government for corruption and administrative failures, citing the Srijan scam, Muzaffarpur shelter home case, and a CAG-reported Rs 70,000 crore irregularity.

He said the bureaucracy had overpowered elected representatives and vowed to restore accountability.

Highlighting key points from the manifesto, Tejashwi promised an investment-driven development model, including industries, agro-based projects, IT parks, food processing units, world-class universities, and super-speciality hospitals.

“Whatever we have promised, we will fulfil — even if it costs us our lives,” he declared.