BJP Bihar manifesto to focus on jobs, Enterprise

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to unveil its Bihar election manifesto around October 28–29, and according to party insiders, the document will mark a deliberate shift from the state’s earlier development narrative of roads and electricity to a forward-looking vision built on udyog, jobs, and enterprise. The emphasis, they say, will be on moving beyond the basics and presenting a roadmap for a “new Bihar” that builds on the foundation laid by two decades of NDA rule.

A senior BJP functionary involved in the drafting process said the manifesto will signal a phase change in Bihar’s growth story. “For twenty years, the NDA government has laid the foundation roads, power, and law and order. This manifesto will talk about what comes next,” the insider said.

Party leaders view it as both a continuation and evolution of the NDA’s developmental and political legacy since 2005, with the central message being that the NDA delivered stability and infrastructure, and the BJP is now ready to take Bihar into its next stage of growth one focused on jobs, industry, and enterprise.

The forthcoming manifesto is expected to highlight udyog, youth empowerment, and innovation as its main pillars, reflecting the BJP’s attempt to speak to a younger generation that has grown up in an era of relative stability. While previous manifestos centered around connectivity, electricity, and welfare, this edition will attempt to reposition Bihar as a state poised to contribute to India’s overall growth story.

One party insider said the approach will shift from entitlement to enterprise from being a beneficiary state to one that generates opportunities and attracts investment.

According to those familiar with the draft, the manifesto will likely underline the creation of industrial corridors, district-level manufacturing hubs, and local entrepreneurship zones linked to Bihar’s traditional strengths in agro-processing, textiles, and leather.

The party also plans to emphasise that employment generation in the coming years must be seen through the lens of industry and innovation rather than government recruitment alone. “Employment and opportunity have to be understood through the prism of udyog. Bihar’s youth are looking for a self-reliant economy where they can grow without leaving their home state,” said a senior BJP leader aware of the discussions.

The manifesto is expected to propose measures to promote start-ups, attract private investment, and ease the process of doing business. New industrial parks and economic zones in areas such as Gaya, Darbhanga, and Bhagalpur are likely to be mentioned, along with initiatives that connect skill training directly with emerging sectors like logistics, digital services, and renewable energy.

Within the party, there is also a growing view that to implement the ambitions outlined in the manifesto, Bihar will require a “dynamic and forward-looking chief minister” if the NDA returns to power. Party insiders suggest that this thinking represents a generational shift moving beyond the era of Lohia socialite-age leaders who dominated the state’s politics for decades. “The next phase requires a leadership that understands technology, enterprise, and governance as instruments of growth,” said one senior BJP figure, indicating that this belief has subtly shaped the manifesto’s tone.

According to insiders, the communication strategy around the document will revolve around the idea of a “New Bihar”, aligning it with the larger national themes of Viksit Bharat and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The party intends to highlight Bihar’s readiness to play a larger role in India’s economic expansion while maintaining the social and welfare commitments associated with the NDA years. The tone of the document, they added, will be aspirational, focusing on modern infrastructure, digital governance, and entrepreneurship as tools for empowerment.