Bihar’s mandate

In Bihar, the BJP-Janata Dal (United)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has once again secured power, as predicted by exit polls. The NDA’s double century has surprised political analysts, while the Grand Alliance of RJD, Congress, and other parties suffered a crushing defeat. The clear mandate of the people of Bihar is proof that despite Nitish Kumar’s tenure as Chief Minister for the past 20 years, no anti-incumbency wave could develop against him. The opposition raised issues regarding his age, health, mental state, and retirement, but failed to match Nitish Kumar’s personality. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Ministers, and BJP workers put their full strength into this election. While no wave was visible on the ground, the election results indicate a subterranean wave in favor of the NDA. Migration and unemployment have always been sensitive issues in Bihar.
The campaigns of all major leaders, including Prime Minister Modi, focused on Lalu Yadav’s Jungle Raj. Although Bihar’s Gen Z hasn’t witnessed the jungle raj of Bihar, all NDA leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, repeatedly mentioned pellets, pistols, and double-barreled guns. Women played a significant role in the NDA’s victory. Women’s power played a decisive role. A surprising trend was observed: women, regardless of caste, religion, race, or backward caste, voted for the NDA in large numbers due to the Nitish government’s welfare schemes. This isn’t just a miracle of depositing ten thousand rupees into women’s accounts; rather, during the Nitish government’s 20 years in power, a solid women’s support base was created through reservations for women in panchayats, jobs, and education. Women proved to be a game changer in this election. Understanding the importance of women during the election campaign, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had announced that if his government is formed, a lump sum of Rs 30,000 will be deposited in the accounts of women on 14 January, Makar Sankranti, and in the Grand Alliance’s election manifesto ‘Tejaswi Pran’, he had promised a scheme to give Rs 2500 every month to women, but women voters expressed more trust in Nitish Kumar instead of him.
Tejashwi Yadav had announced a government job for one member from every family in Bihar. There’s no doubt that Bihar has a high unemployment rate and there’s a fierce competition for government jobs. Voters distrusted Tejashwi’s promise, raising numerous questions. The biggest question was that Bihar lacks the budget for government jobs. 25,000 crore rupees would be needed to create 10 lakh government jobs. Where would that money come from? Bihar’s youth also disregarded his promise as practical. Although reports of discord between the BJP and Nitish Kumar over the chief ministerial candidate continued, the opposition, especially Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, repeatedly raised the issue of rigged polling and vote theft in the SIR, challenging the Election Commission and the central Modi government, none of their arrows hit the target. Many projections predicted that the RJD would emerge as the largest party, while the BJP would finish third. Due to Nitish Kumar’s displeasure, Janata Dal (United) votes were not transferred to the BJP. However, the election results shattered these predictions. The biggest question remained as to who would benefit from the bumper voter turnout in Bihar. Now, it is clear that the NDA reaped the lion’s share of the benefits. Regarding the Grand Alliance’s electoral management, the momentum and tenacity displayed during Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s padayatra in Bihar had weakened as the elections approached. A prolonged tussle over seat-sharing proved costly for the Grand Alliance. Congress itself and the VIP Party, with a 2% majority, proved to be the weakest link in the alliance, while Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party, an NDA ally, emerged as a new force. Prashant Kumar’s Jan Suraj Party was completely rejected by voters. In a democracy, the people are supreme, and they expressed confidence in Nitish Kumar’s good governance and rejected the Grand Alliance. Caste-based equations have been completely shattered.