In the lead-up to the Bihar assembly elections, the central and state governments are focusing on attracting youth and women. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced schemes worth over Rs 62,000 crore for young people across the country from Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi. The announcements include a new Karpoori Thakur Skill University, interest-free education loans, and the promise of doubled employment opportunities for Bihar’s youth. The BJP claims these initiatives represent a ‘double bonus’ for the state’s young population.
The NDA government at the center and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s team in the state are actively working to appeal to youth and women before the elections. During a skill convocation ceremony held in Delhi, PM Modi unveiled these plans.
These plans include the establishment of the Karpoori Thakur Skill University, interest-free education loans, increased scholarship amounts, and the provision of double employment opportunities for the youth of Bihar. The Prime Minister highlighted these as a significant benefit for the youth of Bihar. He also mentioned that the reduction in GST has made items like bikes and scooters more affordable, further benefiting young people.
PM Modi used the occasion to criticize the opposition. He stated that the Congress and RJD had damaged Bihar’s education system two decades ago, forcing many students to seek education in other states. Conversely, the RJD and Congress have labeled these initiatives as blatant electoral promises. Congress leader Akhilesh Singh accused the central and state governments of trying to entice youth and women by announcing a flurry of schemes before the elections.
While the BJP and JDU insist that these are not electoral tricks, but rather schemes aimed at the welfare of Bihar’s youth and women, Union Minister Shivraj Chouhan emphasized the NDA’s focus on education, employment, and women’s empowerment. He cited the appointment of 2.5 lakh teachers in Bihar in recent years, the establishment of new ITIs and skill labs, and the provision of interest-free loans to students.
The BJP suggests that the opposition’s fear is evident, leading them to question the initiatives. The legacy of Karpoori Thakur and this youth-focused initiative by PM Modi and CM Nitish are intended to reach the public directly as an electoral message. The impact of these combined central-state schemes on the votes of Bihar’s youth and female voters remains to be seen.