Election war has started in Bihar. With the announcement of voting dates, this great sacrifice of democracy has started, in which crores of voters will decide both the direction and condition of the state through their votes in two phases on 6th and 11th November. This time the election is not just about change of power, but about change of ideas and system. This is an opportunity to liberate Bihar from the shackles of backwardness, unemployment, corruption and anarchy that has been holding it for a long time. The picture of the new government in Bihar will be revealed with the counting of votes on November 14, but the way politics is taking shape in the state, there may be many ups and downs till the voting. If we look at the political history of Bihar, this land was once the mother of Buddha’s compassion and Chanakya’s policy, but today the same Bihar is struggling with the failures of law and order, the chains of casteism and the constraints of underdevelopment. Roads are broken, the education system is in disrepair, the medical system is weak, and every year millions of youth are forced to leave their homeland in search of employment. In such a situation, this election is also an opportunity for social awakening, when voters will vote not just for face but for character and thinking.
Political parties are in the fray with their respective announcements, promises and vision papers. Some are giving slogan of making “Naya Bihar”, while some are giving slogan of “Developed Bihar”. But the question is whether the announcements will change the fate of Bihar, or will this election also be handed over to traditional slogans and caste equations? It is time that people should connect with Disha and not with parties; Communicate with morality, not slogans. Nitish Kumar has been the face of Bihar for the last two decades and this election also seems to be no different. The basic question is whether the public will give Nitish another chance? NDA has put him ahead in the state and there is a direct competition from the Grand Alliance. Nitish Kumar has been in power since 2005, except for a few periods. During this period he took oath 9 times and changed sides several times. Despite changing alliance partners and less seats, he became the Chief Minister. Behind this is his own image of ‘Good Governance Babu’, but now it is being challenged. For the first time, an attempt is being made to surround Nitish government with corruption charges. At the same time, the issue of law and order is also a matter of concern. In recent months, the murder of businessman Gopal Khemka in Patna and the murder of a gangster by entering the hospital increased the problems of the government. Nitish and BJP presented the tenure of Lalu-Rabri Yadav like Jungle Raj in every election, but now the opposition parties are asking questions. This election is surrounded by many such questions.
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Despite the emphasis on development, caste remains a decisive factor in Bihar politics. The electoral strategy of every party is deeply influenced by community-based mobilization. Both the major alliances NDA and Mahagabandhan are engaged in seat sharing talks. Out of the 243 assembly seats, which party in the alliance will get how many seats and who will get which seat is a matter of controversy. In the last assembly elections, there was a direct contest between the NDA and the Grand Alliance – this time there is also Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraj in the equation, who is raising the issue of corruption and migration. There are some other new political parties in the fray. The biggest challenge of Bihar is law and order and administrative strength. The crime incidents and anarchy happening every day have tarnished the image of the state. We need a governance that can provide a fear-free society, where citizens feel safe, where crime is curbed and justice is provided promptly. Development is possible only when an environment of trust is created.
This time in the politics of Bihar, many new parties and many old faces are going to be seen with the new party. Prashant Kishor’s party ‘Jansuraj’, Tej Pratap Yadav’s party Janashakti Janata Dal, Upendra Kushwaha’s party Rashtriya Lok Morcha and Pashupati Paras’s Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party are going to be seen in the Bihar Assembly elections for the first time. In such a situation, all the parties are ready to fight in the electoral battle. But it remains to be seen that which party is able to show how much strength it has? Does Prashant Kishar’s party perform as per his claims or proves to be a fluke? At the same time, how much of a shock does Tej Pratap Yadav give to Tejashwi Yadav by forming his own party. All this will now be decided on the outcome of the elections. It will also be decided which party is able to save its existence and which is not? This election is a moment to shake the soul of Bihar. The people here now want not just food, clothing and shelter, but education, employment, health and a respectable life. This election is a symbol of this aspiration. Whichever party understands this reality, only it will be able to shape the future of Bihar.
Today the voters of Bihar are more alert and prudent. They know that culture change, political correctness and administrative accountability are more important than change of power. This election will not only decide the assembly seats, but will also decide whether Bihar will be able to come out of its old shadows and move towards light. Since backwardness, corruption and anarchy are discussed in Bihar, it is natural that the issue of development, law and order and employment of the state will also be a major election issue between the parties and the opposition. However, Bihar has come out of the period of poverty during the previous governments and the conditions here have changed a lot in the last two decades. This time there will be a change in Bihar elections, this is also indicated by the announcements made by Nitish government. For the first time, announcements on this scale have been made for women, disabled and elderly. RJD and Congress have asked where the money will come from for this? Whether the public believes in the promises or goes with the change, it will not take much time to get the answer.
By the way, such importance of Bihar elections is not a new thing. A special sequence has been in place for the last two decades. Bihar Assembly elections are held the next year after the Lok Sabha elections. The party which is in the opposition alliance at the Center puts its full force in the Bihar Assembly elections, which makes the elections more interesting and exciting. If we assess the political situation, despite ruling Bihar for almost twenty years, no one is dismissing the power of Janata Dal United or Nitish Kumar. BJP stands strongly with Nitish Kumar so that it remains in power. On the other hand, the Grand Alliance led by Rashtriya Janata Dal is making efforts in a now or never manner. In this test of democracy, Bihar can write a new chapter – a Bihar which is educated, organized and alert. Where politics becomes a medium of service, not of struggle; Where power speaks the language of sensitivity, not selfishness. This mandate of Bihar can indeed create history – if the public chooses “justice” and not “caste”; Choose “belief”, not “promise”. This election can become the key to change in the fortunes of Bihar – provided we all together say – “This time, good governance and reform.”
– Lalit Garg
Writer, Journalist, Columnist
(This article expresses the author’s own views.)