BJP Slams Mahagathbandhan's Vision Amid Corruption Allegations

BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad launched a scathing attack on the Mahagathbandhan following the release of its manifesto for the Bihar Assembly elections. Speaking at a press conference in Patna, Prasad accused alliance leaders of facing legal battles, including charges under IPC Section 420, and implicated them in the land-for-jobs scam. He went on to describe the Rashtriya Janata Party (RJD) as a "school of corruption," questioning the integrity of their promises for a "new vision" for Bihar.

The Mahagathbandhan, which includes the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress among others, unveiled its manifesto titled 'Bihar Ka Tejashwi Pran'. The document pledges a swift law to provide government jobs to one member of each family within 20 days of taking office. Promises include the 'Mai-Behin Maan Yojana', offering financial support to women, and the revival of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), which notably returned under Congress rule in Himachal Pradesh and was part of its Haryana election manifesto.

The alliance also plans to increase reservations for the Most Backward Classes in local bodies from 20% to 30%, and raise the quota for Scheduled Castes from 16% to 20%. Additionally, they vow to offer free health insurance up to Rs 25 lakh per individual. The coalition, comprising entities like the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) and Vikasheel Insaan Party, is contesting the elections for Bihar's 243 assembly seats, with voting set for November 6 and 11. Results are expected on November 14.