Patna: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday called upon the people of Bihar to vote for the Grand Alliance, asserting that the coalition’s victory would usher in “a new thinking and a wave of change” across the state.
Speaking at a press conference in Patna, Sukhu said that under the leadership of Tejashwi Yadav, the Grand Alliance had united around a vision for inclusive growth. “Tejashwi Yadav is leading the party here, so the manifesto is titled Tejaswi Pranab, but the Grand Alliance stands together. Efforts are being made to change the system,” he said.
The Chief Minister emphasised that the alliance’s focus was on employment and youth empowerment. “When people move forward for development, what about one job in a family? Jobs will be available. Countless employment opportunities will be created,” Sukhu declared.
He added that the Congress party’s legacy of service and sacrifice for India’s independence remained central to its ideology. “The Congress party believes in all-round development. After winning, the party sits together and strategises which leader will serve the public in what manner,” he said.
Highlighting welfare initiatives from his home state, Sukhu said Himachal Pradesh became the first in the country to pass a law for children who have lost their parents — the Chief Minister’s Sukh Ashray Yojana. “Through this law, the government is both mother and father. The state will take care of a child from birth till 27 years of age. At 18, they will receive Rs. 4,000 per month, Rs. 75,000 for coaching if they wish to become doctors or engineers, and full financial support during their education,” he explained.
He also cited Himachal’s achievements in agriculture and education. “We promoted natural farming and introduced minimum support prices for milk, wheat, raw turmeric, barley, and maize. Himachal Pradesh now ranks 5th in education, up from 21st when the BJP was in power,” Sukhu said.
Promising to bring similar reforms to Bihar, he added, “If our government is formed, we will implement the Old Pension Scheme just like Himachal Pradesh.”
Drawing on Bihar’s historical legacy, Sukhu said, “From Takshashila to Vikramshila, people came here from abroad to study. This was the land of Buddha, but the current situation requires change — and that change can only come through the people’s voice.”
Concluding his address, Sukhu appealed to voters to “support the Grand Alliance for a new and progressive Bihar under Tejashwi Yadav’s leadership.”
