The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has launched its much-anticipated election manifesto for the crucial Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for 2025, presenting a comprehensive vision that directly challenges the ruling National Democratic Alliance government.
Core Promises That Could Reshape Bihar's Future
The manifesto, released with significant fanfare, centers on several transformative promises that address long-standing issues in Bihar's political landscape. The party has positioned itself as the voice of marginalized communities and working-class citizens.
Landmark Commitment to Caste Census
The most prominent pledge involves conducting a comprehensive caste census across Bihar, a move that could dramatically reshape the state's political dynamics. This commitment comes amid ongoing national debates about caste-based enumeration and its implications for resource allocation and political representation.
Economic Revival and Job Creation
The CPI(M) has outlined an ambitious economic agenda focusing on:
- Generating employment opportunities for one million youth
- Implementing complete farm loan waivers for struggling agriculturalists
- Establishing universal social security coverage for all workers
- Creating substantial investment in public sector enterprises
Education and Healthcare Transformation
The party's manifesto addresses critical social sectors with concrete proposals:
Educational Reforms
Revolutionizing Bihar's education system forms a cornerstone of their policy framework. The party promises to fill all vacant teaching positions, upgrade school infrastructure, and ensure quality education reaches every corner of the state.
Healthcare Accessibility
Healthcare commitments include strengthening public health institutions, ensuring availability of free medicines in all government hospitals, and implementing a robust health insurance scheme covering all Bihar residents.
Political Strategy and Electoral Implications
This manifesto release signals CPI(M)'s determination to re-establish its political relevance in Bihar, where it has seen declining influence in recent elections. By focusing on caste census and economic justice issues, the party aims to carve out a distinct political space and potentially influence the broader opposition narrative.
The timing of this manifesto release, well ahead of the 2025 elections, suggests a strategic attempt to set the agenda and force other political parties to respond to their framework of issues. As Bihar prepares for another high-stakes electoral battle, the CPI(M) has clearly staked its claim to represent alternative politics in the state.
