With the Bihar assembly elections approaching, the central government and the state’s ruling coalition are concentrating on winning over young people and women. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced nationwide schemes worth over Rs 62,000 crore for the youth, speaking from Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi. The comprehensive package for Bihar includes the establishment of a new Karpoori Thakur Skill University, along with interest-free education loans and a commitment to double employment prospects. The BJP is presenting these initiatives as a ‘double bonus’ for the youth of Bihar.
The NDA government at the center, along with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s administration in the state, is actively engaged in efforts to garner support from young people and women ahead of the elections. PM Modi revealed these plans during a skill convocation ceremony held in Delhi.
The package offers include a new Karpoori Thakur Skill University, interest-free education loans, increased scholarship amounts, and a doubling of job opportunities for the young people of Bihar. The Prime Minister characterized these measures as a ‘double bonus’ for Bihar’s youth. He also noted that reduced GST rates have made motorcycles and scooters more affordable, providing added benefits to young people.
PM Modi used the occasion to criticize the opposition, accusing the Congress and RJD of having ruined Bihar’s education system two decades prior, forcing numerous students to pursue their education in other states. Conversely, the RJD and Congress have directly branded these as election-oriented inducements. Congress leader Akhilesh Singh alleged that the central and state governments are attempting to sway youth and women by rolling out a series of schemes prior to the elections.
However, the BJP and JDU maintain that these are not election ploys, but rather schemes aimed at advancing the interests of Bihar’s youth and women. Union Minister Shivraj Chouhan emphasized the NDA’s emphasis on education, employment, and women’s empowerment. He mentioned that 2.5 lakh teachers have been appointed in Bihar in recent years, with new ITIs and skill labs established, and interest-free loans made available to students.
The BJP claims the opposition’s apprehension is evident in their critique of the initiatives. The legacy of Karpoori Thakur, coupled with the youth-centric efforts of PM Modi and CM Nitish, is intended to reach voters as a direct electoral message. The extent to which these joint central-state initiatives will sway the votes of Bihar’s youth and female voters remains to be seen.