Once upon a time someone had said rather in a candid manner - Once Bihar changes, you might say, there is nothing left to change.
Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha polls in 2024 'saved' one dynasty of Yadavs.
But come Bihar polls in 2025 ..... we may well see the end of 'socialist' politics of Caste and Community !
People slam Nitish Kumar as 'paltu-ram' - a neta who changes political loyalty like a seasonal bird. But it is also a fact in 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Nitish had made his last attempt vis-a-vis his national ambition.
But he was betrayed by Congress and his 'ambition' cut short by the likes of Mamata Banerjee.
Hence he decided to quit INDI alliance. Today, instead of being isolated as Sickular writers and political parties had predicted; Nitish has been wooed by Modi and Amit Shah.
JD-U is a crucial partner in Modi 3.0.
On the other hand, Lalu Yadav and his son or even other regional stalwarts who were certain and confident about resurrection have been hit by a thunderbolt from blue skies.
Therefore RJD faces existential crisis and will be more than desperate to do well in 2025 polls in Bihar.
As far as the common man (woman) or ordinary voter goes in Bihar, the party and the political combine that wins in 2025 Oct-Nov polls will be the one that can offer an economic policy framework for the future.
"We may be stretching it too far ..... The young will determine the result, they want new ideas to lift their spirits and restore the dream of prosperity.
Both Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad are aging and hence fading stars. Therefore, the promise and platform that captures young people's imagination will come to power in 2025 and also command the coming decade in Bihar," says a social worker in Patna.
The individual hails from Upper Caste background and says he wants to conceal his caste credential while talking about Bihar politics that was for long dominated by the debate around mandir-masjid and caste.
However, he is not hesitant to speak about one thing -- "This is the best chance to get a BJP chief minister and establish Hindutva political framework".
In general sense not only politics of Bihar; even the voters in the governance-challenged state has evolved and emerged as a new age electorate.
Photo credit- The Telegraph, Kolkata
The voters are tired of over emphasis given to caste and gross misuse of Sickularism to justify corruption and a weak administration vis-a-vis pushing the dynastic rule.
Jungle raj was accepted norm.
Bihar's case is not alone. Even in Uttar Pradesh, things evolved and hence the BJP has emerged as a cornerstone in the corridors of power.
The fact of the matter is like Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad in Bihar; Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Akhilesh in Uttar Pradesh have been the "heirs" of Ram Manohor Lohia who abused power and authority.
There is yet another angle that needs closer scrutiny when it comes to BJP's political journey vis-a-vis states such as Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and also Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Let us break things step by step.
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| Karma wheel: Blogger |
BIMARU states have been these four provinces.
The saffron party penetrated Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan rather quickly. Shivraj Singh Chouhan gave a good administration for 15 years and MP is no longer considered as part of that BIMARU bracket.
On the other hand as Caste-based politics dominated scenes in Bihar and UP; there have been a few long-term consequences also.
It is true "socialists" have denied the Lotus party a primacy in the crucial Ganga-Jamuna belt.
Rajasthan was Lohia’s home state and here the saffron party tasted electoral success quite early.
In 2012, UP voters voted out BSP of Mayawati and reposed faith in Mulayam Singh Yadav's Samajwadi Party. The massive mandate helped Akhilesh become Chief Minister but his governance was poor.
Nevertheless it was around the same time in June 2013, Narendra Modi was named BJP's chairman of election campaign committee. Nitish took UP mandate more seriously and hence dumped the saffron party and started flirtation with Lalu Prasad-led RJD and a 'weak' contender Congress.
It did not require much time. In 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Modi Tsunami prevailed and JD-U could win only a couple of seats.
In contrast, Ram Vilas Paswan - who had no Lok Sabha MP in 2009 parliamentary polls - had moved to NDA and embraced the leadership of Narendra Modi. He fetched in rich dividends and became a Minister.
Today, Chirag Paswan has a stature of his won but here too the challenges remain with respect to performance of his uncle Paras Paswan vis-a-vis Dalit votes.
In the ultimate, we may conclude 2024 assembly polls could be the starting point to establish a stable and yet 'performing' government in Bihar.
All roads may lead to the Hindutva politics.
ends
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