Election-Eve Dynamics in Bihar

Arun Mishra

WITH the smell of elections in the air, political formations of all hues and colours in Bihar have begun their preparations to woo the masses with catchy slogans and populist economic agendas targeted at various sections of society.

Caste-based formations are actively organising conventions and rallies to draw the attention of the two major electoral alliances – the Mahagathbandhan and the NDA – seeking representation in seat allocation for their respective communities.

However, a new phenomenon is also being observed. Various issue-based organisations – those advocating for common school education and opposing the privatisation and communalisation of the education system, those working among dalits for socio-economic upliftment, those organising unorganised sector workers, as well as groups focused on environmental and gender issues – are approaching the constituents of the Mahagathbandhan, particularly the Left parties, to have their demands included in the joint manifesto currently being drafted by the alliance's manifesto committee. These organisations are actively campaigning for the ousting of the BJP-JD(U) regime in Bihar.

The Mahagathbandhan is well-placed to defeat the BJP-JD(U) alliance in the upcoming elections. However, it cannot afford to be complacent. It must work diligently from the state level down to the booth level, in coordination with leaders and cadres of secular and democratic parties, as well as grassroots issue-based organisations.

The BJP, led by its RSS-backed religious-cum-social organisations, has expanded its influence far and wide. It is not only attempting to polarise the electorate along communal lines but is also quietly working to exploit social contradictions that have emerged between middle castes, the most backward castes, and dalits. The BJP’s organisational machinery is operating meticulously at every level, assigning personal responsibilities to its cadres and allocating significant funds to sustain its activities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have already visited the state twice, with more visits announced. The visits of RSS leaders and other religious figures aim to create an atmosphere conducive to selling the Hindutva ideology.

Initially, the BJP tried to capitalise on the Pahalgam tragedy and Operation Sindoor, but these efforts have backfired. The government has failed to provide answers regarding the security lapses in Pahalgam or the implications of US mediation during the recent four-day skirmishes between India and Pakistan.

The extent of the BJP's desperation was visible during Prime Minister Modi's visit to Siwan on June 20. The entire state machinery was mobilised to gather crowds from distant areas. Women scheme workers were herded into buses and brought to the venue. After the flop show in Patna, it became necessary for the Bihar government to demonstrate that the prime minister still enjoys popular support. However, whether on the international front or domestic issues, the prime minister is increasingly proving to be a liability rather than an asset.

In light of the close electoral contest between the two main political formations, the Mahagathbandhan Coordination Committee convened on June 13 at the residence of RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.

During this meeting, the committee deliberated on the principles guiding seat-sharing among the alliance’s constituents. Following this, the top leadership of the Mahagathbandhan interacted with five key sub-committees tasked with overseeing various aspects of the campaign: press and communication, social media, public campaigning, manifesto preparation, and engagement with the Election Commission to ensure the constitutional integrity of the electoral process.

Coordination committees have been formed in every district, and similar committees are being set up down to the booth level. Members of these committees are undergoing training to effectively counter the lies and fake news propagated by the BJP-JD(U) combine. They have also been instructed to closely monitor the activities and propaganda of the RSS and its affiliates, who are attempting to lure the masses through false promises.

The Mahagathbandhan’s systematic and grassroots-level preparation to challenge the BJP juggernaut has generated a positive political atmosphere. It is likely to energise the public, who have long been burdened by rising prices, unemployment, the lack of access to free quality education and healthcare, clean drinking water, sanitation, and housing – all unmet needs after nearly 20 years of BJP-JD(U) rule in Bihar.

The developmental trajectory pursued over the past two decades stands exposed, having failed to address the basic needs of the vast majority of the state's population. In its place, a new class has emerged – comprised of land mafias, contractors, builders, and looters of public funds, including education and healthcare mafias. Corruption has become rampant across all levels, while a new breed of criminals has flourished under the so-called rule of Sushasan Babu, operating with impunity in cases of rape, murder, and violent crime.

Recent data confirms that Bihar ranks at the bottom of all major social development indices.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Congress state president Rajesh Kumar, CPI(M) state secretary Lalan Chowdhury, CPI state secretary Ram Naresh Pandey, CPI(ML) state secretary Kunal, and VIP leader Mukesh Sahani jointly addressed members of the sub-committees. They urged everyone to work with dedication, planning, and discipline to ensure the defeat of the BJP and its allies in Bihar. Such a shift, they emphasised, is essential to safeguard the country’s Constitution and its foundational values of democracy, secularism, and socialism.

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