'Should release sorry patra': Tejashwi Yadav, Congress tear into NDA's Bihar manifesto; mock press event

NEW DELHI: The ruling NDA alliance in Bihar on Friday released its election manifesto, the "Sankalp Patra", promising jobs, industries, and infrastructure growth. But the move quickly drew sharp fire from the opposition Mahagathbandhan bloc with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav leading the charge, calling it a bundle of "jumla" and demanding that the alliance issue a "sorry patra" instead.

"NDA should release a ‘sorry patra’ and apologise to the 14 crore people of Bihar. The state is the poorest despite their 20-year rule. There are no factories here, no investment. This government has failed in all sectors," Tejashwi said, accusing the Nitish Kumar–PM Modi-led coalition of "failing Bihar on every front."



Taking a pointed jab at the chief minister, the RJD leader added, "CM might not even know what is in that manifesto. Perhaps the press conference was cut short to prevent him from speaking."

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Confident of Mahagathbandhan’s prospects in state, Tejashwi said, "This is just 'jumla.' People of Bihar have recognised their 'chaal, charitra.' They will give NDA a befitting reply this time. Mahagathbandhan will form the government. People of the state want to end unemployment."

Accusing the NDA of stealing his ideas, he said, "They copy everything. They say they will provide one crore jobs. They ask me where will I generate jobs from. They should say where will they do it from."

RJD MP and party supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav’s daughter, Misa Bharti, also hit out at the NDA’s manifesto, questioning the alliance’s job promises. "How will they provide that (1 crore government jobs)? Where will they get the money from? When we said we would provide 10 lakh government jobs, we did. For the first time in the history of Bihar, we got it done from the same CM who used to say it was impossible. He gave the appointment letters himself. The Mahagathbandhan worries about the future of the youth," she said.

The Congress, part of Tejashwi’s Mahagathbandhan, echoed his criticism. Party spokesperson Pawan Khera said, "Why are they presenting their ‘Sankalp Patra’ after 20 years? First, they should present their report card. They talk about bringing industries to every district, but Amit Shah asked where we would get land for industries. There is no coordination among these people."

Khera also mocked the brief manifesto launch, saying, “Their press conference ended in 30 seconds. Tell me, have you ever heard something like this before? The chief minister, who is their face, is not allowed to speak. Why is Nitish Kumar being insulted time and again?”

Earlier in the day, the NDA released its "Sankalp Patra" in Patna, pledging one crore jobs, industrial development, and improved infrastructure. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was joined by BJP president JP Nadda, Union ministers Jitan Ram Manjhi and Chirag Paswan, and RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha.

BJP’s Bihar chief Dilip Jaiswal hailed the document as “the guarantee of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the trust of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar,” likening the alliance to the “Pandavas” of the Mahabharata. “The people of Bihar trust the guarantees of PM Modi and CM Nitish Kumar,” he said, adding that voters would “never forgive Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav” for the “ruin of Bihar.”