In Bihar NDA Manifesto 2025, Vision takes center stage with promises of one crore jobs, industrial parks, and women’s empowerment — but critics say it’s hollow, questioning whether this Vision truly belongs to Nitish Kumar or is scripted by the BJP.
By Dr. Mohammad Farooque | Qalam Times News Network
Kolkata| October 31, 2025
Vision at the Heart of Bihar’s Politics
Vision has become the buzzword in Bihar’s political landscape, dominating the NDA’s new manifesto where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s development agenda is projected as the guiding light. But the real question is — is this vision a roadmap for Bihar’s progress or just another political mirage?
The NDA’s manifesto pledges one crore jobs, industrial zones in every district, and financial support of ₹2 lakh for women entrepreneurs. The document paints a glittering picture of a prosperous Bihar, but on the ground, unemployment, migration, and poverty continue to haunt the state.
According to NITI Aayog’s latest report, Bihar’s per capita income stands at ₹54,000 — the lowest in India and nearly one-third of the national average. If Nitish’s vision was truly working, would Bihar still be trapped at the bottom of every development index after two decades of NDA rule?
Promises of Vision vs. Reality on the Ground
The manifesto’s big claims — one crore jobs, ten new industrial parks, and defense and semiconductor corridors — sound ambitious, but the past tells a different story.
Industrial estates in Patna and Hajipur remain underdeveloped, power supply is unreliable, and investors hesitate to step in. Without robust infrastructure and skilled manpower, this vision risks becoming another hollow slogan.
Women’s empowerment is a major highlight, with promises of ₹2 lakh per woman under the Chief Minister’s Employment Scheme. Yet, official data shows that less than two percent of women in the state have benefitted from similar programs in the past. It’s a continuation of what Bihar knows too well — grand promises, poor execution.
The Silenced Chief Minister
The manifesto launch itself raised eyebrows — the press conference lasted only 26 seconds, and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar wasn’t allowed to speak. Congress called the manifesto a “bundle of lies,” claiming it was merely a photo-op meant to sidestep media questions.
Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot demanded that the NDA present a report card of its 20-year rule. “Why are Modi and Nitish avoiding questions? What happened to job creation, law and order, and education?” he asked. None of these answers could be found in the NDA’s so-called vision document.
Whose Vision Is It, Anyway?
Nitish Kumar’s “Vision Nitish” now seems to have merged into “Vision NDA.” His once-independent political identity — rooted in secular and developmental politics — has been overshadowed by BJP’s dominance. The manifesto reflects not the conviction of a leader, but the compromise of a coalition.
In the end, the people of Bihar must decide: is this vision truly Nitish Kumar’s, or merely a script written in Delhi?
Bihar Needs Direction, Not Just Vision
Bihar doesn’t need another glossy vision document; it needs the courage to act. Without solid reforms in employment, education, healthcare, and industry, no manifesto can change reality. The state now demands not promises but performance, not photo-ops but policy — and perhaps, that’s the verdict voters will deliver in this election.
