Lessons From Bihar

2014 general elections in India witnessed the rise of Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), which got a chance to rule this country on its own. The election campaign of BJP was entirely focussed on the developmental agenda. Employing high-tech media with large doses of innovative sloganeering that made people visualize what the real development would be at national level keeping in view the Gujarat model. The mandate finally packed the Congress and its associates to the pavilion and opened a new pitch for the BJP to turn its promises to concrete action at the ground.

As the past haunts the present, the slogans given by the BJP initially looked absurd to the people and its opponents. However, with the aggressive campaign before the desperately disillusioned country from the ruling Congress led UPA, turned around the mood of the people in trusting the Modi factor writing fortunes of BJP. Further, Modi led BJP very successfully exposed the corrupt rule of Congress and its allies of their being neck-deep into heaps of scams. It struck a chord with the people and assured them of getting rid of corruption from the country and to begin an era of progress.BJP worked tirelessly to present the developmental agenda in the BJP’s bouquet. 

Now came the year 2015 but the things were not the same now as they were in 2014. Somewhere the development took a backseat and issues like HINDU RASHTRA, HINDUTVA, BEEF BAN, INFLATION etc. took over the charge. Many MPs of BJP were into rhetoric which somewhere started hurting the basic ethos of Indians. Though voters were shocked and surprised because of the change of the mindset post 2014 elections yet they continued. The major blow of this all was witnessed in the recent result of Bihar elections. The political realignment as GRAND ALLIANCE, including JDU, RJD & Congress, emerged in Bihar and took on BJP unitedly. 

This alliance was also termed as alliance of convenience as it was suitable to all parties facing the question of their political survival. Controversies like beef ban with BJP leaders preaching Muslims in India not to eat beef and GRAND ALLIANCE reassuring on their free eating habits, the poll battle got polarized instead of its political trajectory. It’s quite surprising how parties were driving more into communal direction than political one. Bihar became a battleground where every party had its foot soldiers engaged in street fights. It is being said that the story of beef ban was the main reason which made minorities scared in Bihar and they voted in favor of the Grand Alliance. There came the issue of ‘reservation politics’ which further regimented those availing benefits of reservation & those who have been deprived off.

These provocations lead to another fear being developed in weaker sections of society. Famous story which got highlighted was of RSS Chief when he gave a call to relook the reservation in India during Bihar election season. In addition to it, BIHARI & BAHARI slogans were synonyms during the campaign and many feel that it also spoiled the show for BJP in Bihar.

 The politics in the state of Bihar somewhere appeared that every party created a favorable topic as it was suitable to its ideology. Till sometime back there were issues in the country which have been either based on regional lines or religious lines but Bihar politics appears to defeat both of these. The voter of Bihar has turned a bit smarter as they did what they felt was right without giving a hint of their mind. The reason for this is that many opinion polls showed that results were in favor of BJPs development agenda for the political purpose. It is not necessary that what has happened in Bihar may happen further in India but yes it has set a trend which may be followed. At the end, all politicians have a lesson to learn that it’s the voter who is the king maker in Indian democracy.