Congratulations to Nitish Kumar and Mahagatbandhan for a handsome victory in Bihar assembly elections 2015. I have been a keen observer of changing scenario post 2014 general elections around changing political,social scenario and mathematics in the country.
Bihar has always played an important role in national politics. Starting from JP movement when opposition started to form a formidable force across the nation, Bihar always had a strong voice and people participated in national debates. Education has always been in the agenda of political parties ruling Bihar till date but the impact of education was never visible in their decision making while choosing their leaders in elections. I know its a matter of debate but I feel Anna Movement has made people across the nation politically educated and post movement cast or religion was not a decisive factor but development was, corruption was. We have seen how the people of Bihar have voted in 2014 elections. So abusing Biharis that they always vote on caste basis is wrong.
Reason for Nitish joining Laloo
There are many valid political reasons why NDA had a conveners from JDU in past. Nitish, George Farnandis and Sharad yadav trio have helped in shaping NDA in late 90s and till what we say "Modi-Shah Era" in BJP. As per my understanding BJP has always been a party that gave a lot of importance to intellectuals and were not guided completely from Nagpur in administrative matters. A lot of cases can be quoted where despite lot of pressure from the cadre , BJP listened to its internal democracy and took step that even made Nagpur angry. India being a country of various strong ideologies , Its difficult for a party with confined and already established agendas to govern the country for long and peacefully. Polarization can help to some extent but again post polarization we have many sub divisions, therefore NDA as team was much more better and compatible with what BJP is today. When BJP took a side different from what was agreed for a prosperous NDA, Nitish Ji had no choice but to go alone in 2014 general elections. We all know the results of 2014 general elections. Though it was a change but it created an environment of "My way or Highway ". Other ideologies were trying to connect and in a democracy its important to have a strong meaningful opposition .
Reason for BJP joining HAM /LJP and making new NDA in Bihar
Yes, I have to admit that this election was influenced by cast mathematics. BJP had no choice as they couldn't have projected any substantial development model that they have executed in last one year across the country. Only way of getting in power was to polarize different segments based on caste. Bihar has a history of not getting divided in elections in the name of religion and we have observed post mandal - kamandal era in Bihar as well.
Bihar has always played an important role in national politics. Starting from JP movement when opposition started to form a formidable force across the nation, Bihar always had a strong voice and people participated in national debates. Education has always been in the agenda of political parties ruling Bihar till date but the impact of education was never visible in their decision making while choosing their leaders in elections. I know its a matter of debate but I feel Anna Movement has made people across the nation politically educated and post movement cast or religion was not a decisive factor but development was, corruption was. We have seen how the people of Bihar have voted in 2014 elections. So abusing Biharis that they always vote on caste basis is wrong.
Reason for Nitish joining Laloo
There are many valid political reasons why NDA had a conveners from JDU in past. Nitish, George Farnandis and Sharad yadav trio have helped in shaping NDA in late 90s and till what we say "Modi-Shah Era" in BJP. As per my understanding BJP has always been a party that gave a lot of importance to intellectuals and were not guided completely from Nagpur in administrative matters. A lot of cases can be quoted where despite lot of pressure from the cadre , BJP listened to its internal democracy and took step that even made Nagpur angry. India being a country of various strong ideologies , Its difficult for a party with confined and already established agendas to govern the country for long and peacefully. Polarization can help to some extent but again post polarization we have many sub divisions, therefore NDA as team was much more better and compatible with what BJP is today. When BJP took a side different from what was agreed for a prosperous NDA, Nitish Ji had no choice but to go alone in 2014 general elections. We all know the results of 2014 general elections. Though it was a change but it created an environment of "My way or Highway ". Other ideologies were trying to connect and in a democracy its important to have a strong meaningful opposition .
Reason for BJP joining HAM /LJP and making new NDA in Bihar
Yes, I have to admit that this election was influenced by cast mathematics. BJP had no choice as they couldn't have projected any substantial development model that they have executed in last one year across the country. Only way of getting in power was to polarize different segments based on caste. Bihar has a history of not getting divided in elections in the name of religion and we have observed post mandal - kamandal era in Bihar as well.
Election Campaigns
BJP lost this election because of its bad or I can say worst election management. PM, HM , FM and other cabinet ministers started campaign in Bihar months back and so aggressively that It was first time in Indian democratic history a PM has done so many rallys in a particular state . To comment on kind of language used from both the sides is disturbing and demoralizing . But BJP being a national party and running govt of India must have done better in this aspect. When middle class voters look at BJP , they have Vajpayee Ji, Sushma Ji , Murli Manohar ji and other orators in their perceptive memory. But now a days we hear a lot from Sadhvi Prachi, Girira Singh, Sakshi Maharaj and Kailash Vijayvargiya . Mind the fact the Middle class voters are the most fickle minded voters across the nation . Negative campaign has impacted a lot and BJP must focus on it for next coming elections.
Biharis voted for BJP in 2014 and there must be reasons why they didnt this time. So in place of blame games , BJP should introspect.
