Is BJP-JD(U) Combine Fighting a Losing Battle in Bihar ?
Arun Kumar Mishra
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AFTER the fourth phase of the parliamentary elections, there is widespread talk of a massive defeat for the BJP, JD(U) coalition, and its smaller allies in Bihar. It is no coincidence that Modi had to rush to Bihar for a roadshow in Patna to bolster the sagging spirits of NDA leaders and cadres after the first three phases of the parliamentary elections, which have sent a clear message of impending defeat at the hustings. The prime minister’s two-day visit to Bihar was meticulously planned to provide support to JD(U) and BJP stalwarts like Lalan Singh, Nityanand Roy, and Giriraj Singh, who are engaged in a do-or-die battle for their political survival. Ground reports from these constituencies clearly indicate an overall edge for the INDIA alliance.
Even the traditionally safe seat of Darbhanga, held by the BJP, is under threat, with a section of core voters from the BJP and JD(U) having voted in favour of the INDIA candidate. Despite all efforts by the Modi-Shah duo and their supporters in Bihar, they have failed to create division among the common masses along communal lines.
Though the roadshow led by the prime minister and followed by Nitish Kumar, who wore the BJP election symbol, the lotus, pinned on his shirt, was highlighted with screaming headlines and became the main topic of discussion on every TV channel, it failed to sway the common voters of Begusarai, Munger, Darbhanga, Ujiyarpur, and Samastipur in favour of the NDA.
In recent speeches, the prime minister has made crude and communal remarks against opposition leaders, indicating that he is worried about his political future.
The most striking feature of the electioneering in Bihar is the focus on employment and the agrarian crisis, which has led to large-scale migration of rural poor to cities and distant places to earn their livelihood. Other major issues include homestead land for the homeless, education, and health.
Since the assembly elections in Bihar, class issues concerning peasants, workers, and other sections of working people have changed the narrative, and the NDA has no answers to these questions. Credit goes to the Left parties, which have always been at the forefront in raising such issues. The RJD and Congress parties are now stressing the importance of employment, education, health services, and other welfare measures, prominently featuring these issues in their manifestos. This only echoes the voices raised by the Left parties.
The changed narrative in the elections has cornered the BJP and JD(U) on their so-called trajectory of development, which benefits a small section of crony capitalists.
The people of Bihar, particularly the youth, are comparing PM Modi's guarantees with the Mahagathbandhan allies' promise to provide 10 lakh jobs to the unemployed youth of Bihar during the assembly election. At that time, the JD(U) and BJP mocked these commitments. However, during the 17 months of Mahagathbandhan rule, Nitish Kumar was compelled to implement this commitment by providing around 5 lakh jobs to the youth of Bihar.
Throughout all four phases of the parliamentary elections in Bihar, youth have rallied in favour of the INDIA bloc, cutting across caste and other narrow considerations. So far, 19 constituencies have gone to the polls, and 21 constituencies will go to the polls in the next three phases. In every phase, more and more people are rallying in favour of the INDIA bloc, giving sleepless nights to NDA partners.
In the third and fourth phases of the election, the Left parties, CPI(M) and CPI, are hopeful of winning in Khagaria and Begusarai. CPI (ML) is contesting three seats: Ara, Karakat, and Nalanda, and they are receiving enthusiastic responses in all these constituencies.
Although Patna is a stronghold of the BJP, where two sitting BJP MPs are seeking re-election, the massive response during the nomination days of RJD nominee Misa Bharti and Congress nominee Anshul Abhijeet from Patliputra and Patna Sahib constituencies suggests a tough battle ahead.
Bihar is poised to play a significant role in dethroning the Modi regime and saving the idea of India.
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