Bihar Rallies against BJP-JD(U) Alliance
Arun Kumar Mishra
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BIHAR's voters, with a history of fighting for democracy, will sway against the BJP-JD(U) alliance in favor of safeguarding the constitution and its secular credentials. Ground reports suggest that the alliance is facing significant seat losses in the ongoing parliamentary election. The nation is eagerly watching Bihar's role in dismantling the autocratic and communal structure and voting against the NDA's ten-year misrule. In the initial phase, prime minister Modi and home minister Amit Shah focused on using communal rhetoric in their speeches instead of addressing important concerns like employment, rising prices, and their unmet commitment to granting special status and an economic package for Bihar. Instead, they incited attacks against minority communities, creating division among the general public based on religious lines. The chief minister's allegiance to the BJP is being doubted due to his inconsistent record.
In Bihar, voters are comparing the BJP-JD(U) alliance's 17-year rule with the Mahagathbandhan's 17-month tenure in terms of providing employment to educated youth. The Mahagathbandhan’s promise during the last assembly election to provide jobs to 10 lakh youth of Bihar could only be implemented partially as its government survived for only a short stint of 17 months. The attempts to fulfill the promise of providing jobs were appreciated by the people. It galvanised the youth of Bihar cutting across caste affiliations to vote for the Mahagathbandhan candidates which was evident from the enthusiastic response during the statewide “Jan Vishwas Yatra” undertaken by Tejashwi Yadav. The massive rally in Patna was attended by national leaders from RJD, Congress, CPI, CPI(M), and CPI(ML). The rally played a crucial role in facilitating seat sharing among Mahagathbandhan constituents, with leaders consistently focusing on issues that affect the common people in their campaign.
The BJP and JD(U), in an attempt to divert attention from the issues raised by the Mahagathbandhan, have focused their criticisms on Lalu and his family. However, their accusations of parivarvaad are undermined by the fact that the NDA itself has candidates with familial connections. The prime minister's rallies in Gaya and Jamui featured familial candidates from NDA constituents.
Meanwhile, the CPI(M) is contesting one seat from Khagaria parliamentary constituency from the Mahagathbandhan platform. Since the nomination on April 15, the campaign has been in full swing. On the day of nomination, a significant gathering was held, marked by speeches by Ashok Dhawal of CPI(M), Tejashwi Yadav of RJD, Mukesh Sahani of VIP, Lalan Chowdhary, CPI(M) state secretary, and Awadhesh Kumar, Central Committee member. Additionally, the rally was addressed by Ajay Kumar, the CPI(M) legislative party Leader, and Sarvodaya Sharma, a secretariat member, among other notable speakers.
CPI(M) is actively campaigning in assembly constituencies, giving priority to grassroots efforts and booth-level organisation, and is coordinating with RJD, Congress, CPI, CPI(ML) and VIP leaders and workers. The decision of former MP Mahboob Kiasar to join RJD has further strengthened the CPI(M)'s campaign for Sanjay Kumar, damaging the opposition's morale. Although RLJP's candidate has financial influence, their lack of local support poses a challenge, as they mainly rely on buying votes. CPI(M) candidate Sanjay Kumar enjoys overwhelming political and social backing, particularly from the fishing community, which significantly enhances the Mahagathbandhan's prospects in North Bihar, where fishing communities hold sway, notably in Khagaria.
Tejashwi Yadav and Mukesh Sahni are planning to tour all seven constituencies within seven days. They have already gathered significant crowds in specific regions and are now ready to visit the remaining constituencies. In the meantime, from May 1, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, and Polit Bureau members Brinda Karat and Subhashini Ali, will join the Party campaign.
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