Bihar is once again buzzing – not with industries, not with jobs, but with promises. As the 2025 State Assembly Elections draw closer, political leaders are suddenly waking up with a new sense of “concern” for the public. Schemes are falling from the sky like monsoon rains, especially aimed at women, elderly, and unemployed youth. But the timing? Feels a little too perfect to be a coincidence. Let’s break it down:
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar recently made headlines by increasing the old-age pension from ₹400 to ₹1100. On July 11, he transferred ₹1,227.27 crore to over 1.11 crore beneficiaries under various pension schemes.
That’s a lot of zeroes and a lot of voters.
This sudden increase raised eyebrows. After all, why wait until now? Why not do this two years ago, or even one? Critics suggest it's not a welfare move, but a well-timed electoral strategy. Supporters call it a long-overdue relief. Either way, the old-age vote bank just went from retired to required.
Free Bijli
Nitish Kumar didn’t stop at pensions. He earlier announced that his government wanted to provide 100 units of electricity free to every household. Unfortunately (or conveniently), the Finance Department didn’t approve it.
But recently, Nitish Kumar has announced that starting from 1st August 2025, people will get 125 units of electricity free. Over the next three years, solar power plants will be installed either on their rooftops or at nearby public places to ensure this benefit.
Under the Kutir Jyoti scheme, for extremely poor families, the state government will cover the entire cost of installing these solar power plants. For everyone else, the government will provide appropriate support to help with installation.
So the big question: How did the Finance Department approve it now when they rejected it earlier?
Not to be left behind in the promise race, the Mahagathbandhan (Congress-RJD-Left alliance) launched the “Mai Bahan Maan Yojana.” Under this scheme, every woman would get ₹2500 per month, if the alliance comes to power.
That’s ₹30,000 annually. As per Congress's official press and Hindustan's Jamui report, this scheme, part of the Mai-Bahan Maan Yojana, promises more than just cash. It also includes free sanitary pads and other essential services. Another move aiming to attract women voters, especially from economically weaker sections.
Hindustan reports that the scheme is being aggressively marketed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who’s also leading a “Palayan Roko, Naukri Do” campaign in Bihar — aimed at addressing massive youth migration from the state.
As per Times of India, Nitish Kumar also announced 35% reservation for women in government jobs and the formation of a Bihar Youth Commission. This came within months of the upcoming polls, adding yet another layer of election-focused policy “reforms.” Both moves seem crafted to attract key voter : young aspirants and women.
Youth in Bihar– facing long-term unemployment and constant migration are now being offered commissions, committees, and campaigns. But on-ground implementation of previous promises remains weak.
1 Crore Jobs? Sounds Familiar
As per a News18 report, CM Nitish Kumar has also promised to create 1 crore jobs in the next five years — a massive commitment, especially in a state where young people have struggled for years to find good jobs, and many have had to leave the state just to earn a living.. But similar promises were made in previous elections too, with little to show on the employment scoreboard.
Every few years, Bihar sees a pattern. No, not monsoon or Chhath . This one’s more predictable: Election Wale Vikas. From free bikes and school uniforms in the past, to cash transfers and menstrual care today, the moment EVMs warm up, the schemes start raining.
2010 Bihar Assembly Elections: The 'Development' Rebrand
Nitish Kumar (JD(U)), in alliance with the BJP, won 206 out of 243 seats — a massive mandate.
His campaign focused heavily on "Vikas" (development), law and order, women’s education, and infrastructure (especially roads and electricity).
Result: The development plank clicked. Nitish was re-elected with record numbers, and his image shifted from caste-based politics to “Sushasan Babu” (Mr. Good Governance).
Lalu Prasad Yadav shifted back to social justice rhetoric, attacking Nitish for aligning with BJP and ignoring backward castes and minorities.
Promise: Greater emphasis on quota expansion, minority rights, and upliftment of Dalits and OBCs.
2. Employment Generation & Inclusive Growth:
They promised to focus on job creation and agriculture development, accusing Nitish of development limited to urban elites.
3. Reviving Railways-era Schemes:
Lalu promoted his railway tenure successes and promised to use central schemes more efficiently.
Nitish switched sides and allied with Lalu Yadav’s RJD and Congress, forming the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance).
Under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, the Mahagathbandhan released a common minimum programme (CMP) called the “Saat Nischay” (Seven Resolves) — a blueprint for Bihar's development.
Despite Modi’s personal campaigning, the Grand Alliance won 178 seats.
But the alliance was short-lived; Nitish returned to the NDA in 2017.
Nitish, back with the NDA, faced a strong backlash wave and rising unemployment.
The opposition, especially Tejashwi Yadav (RJD), focused on:
10 lakh government jobs.
Economic migration and youth anger.
Frontal attack on Nitish's 15-year rule.
Nitish's campaign responded with:
Digital push on 7 Nischay Part 2 (7-point plan): water, drainage, women’s empowerment, skill training, and youth support.
Free COVID vaccines were promised by the BJP.
Establishment of Mega IT Parks and Textile Parks
Despite anger and Tejashwi's growing popularity, NDA barely scraped through with 125 seats, RJD emerged as the single largest party.
With the pension hike, free pads, and reservations for women, all the classic election playbooks are open again.
Whether this Vikas is vision-driven or vote-driven — that’s for the ballot box to decide.
What does this suggest? Every five years, political parties discover poverty, women, unemployment, and electricity, just in time to stuff their manifestos and billboards.
Why does development only appear during elections in Bihar?
This pattern of last-minute gifts, big promises, and special schemes right before elections isn’t new. But every election, the promises get bigger and flashier.
Bihar remains one of India’s poorest states in terms of per capita income, industrial growth, and employment. Despite schemes like free cycles, student allowances, or girl-child incentives long-term development hasn’t happened. In every election, big problems are being pushed aside by flashy promises and quick money offers.
Yet politicians return every five years with new freebies — like it’s a seasonal sale.
If Bihar politics were a web series, the plot would be very familiar:
Season 1: Voters struggle for five years.
Season 2: Suddenly, politicians appear with gifts, love, and loud promises.
Season 3: EVMs are pressed, smiles vanish, and files gather dust — until the next season.
This cycle has become so routine, you could set your calendar by it.
In Bihar’s 2025 election drama, every party wants to be the people’s hero. Some are giving out money. Others are promising dignity. A few are doing both. But the real test is not what’s being promised — it’s what was delivered after the last vote.
Bihar doesn’t need just schemes — it needs permanent, long-term policy-driven development. Not “Mat Do, Scheme Lo” politics.
As elections approach, Bihar’s streets are flooded with promises. But voters should remember — “free” is never truly free in politics. Someone always pays and usually, it’s the people.
Vikas doesn’t walk in Bihar, its only takes the election bus.
As voters prepare to press the button of destiny on the EVMs or should we say, Democracy Consoles™ — it’s worth asking:
Not from them, but from ourselves
Are we really voting for real change?
Why are we still so far behind in terms of development?
Why do people from Bihar still have to migrate for education and jobs?
Will we only defend our state on social media, or will we also seriously think about who we’re voting for and what kind of future we’re choosing for Bihar?
So this election, be ready — the Scheme Sabha is in session. Pension, pads, and power, all on the menu. Just don’t ask for jobs. That’s still “under review.”