Election is the time of heatwaves, political currents and public mood. It happens in any election, right from the panchayat level to the members of parliament. Bihar is in the election phase to elect the government. It is the onset of winter in northern India, and winter is not that cold, unlike the election in Bihar. Generally, elections in big states make daily headlines, but this time, Bihar is not showing that warmth and is not a part of the discussion as it used to be. Bihar made more headlines and sparked discussion when migrants travelled by train. During Chhat Pooja, a Long queue of kilometres at Surat makes more TRP than this election.

Silence is a better answer.

Elections are made a point of discussion due to opposition. It is the opposition which wants change. They put the problems and inefficiencies of the government to the fore. The opposition gives direction to the election by giving belief in voters confidence. Opposition raises issues between the people and asks questions to the ruling party. The Bihar election is as cold due to the opposition. The main opposition is RJD of Lalu Yadav, which is now led by his younger son Tejashwi Yadav. Tejashwi Yadav is the leader of the opposition coalition, i.e. Mahghatbhandan. Tejashwi Yadav was the face of the CM in the last election, also from the Opposition alliance. In the last election, He was active from the very beginning and completed a record number of election rallies. It was visible in the results also. But not this time.

   Tejashwi Yadav faced many problems before the onset of the election. First, his house is not in order, and his elder brother, Tej Pratap Yadav, was expelled from the party and family. Second, the Vote Adhikar Rally of Rahul Gandhi did not touch on the issue of Bihar and made him look like second in line. It forced him to take out a solo travel only with RJD and its vision. Third, He wants to be declared as CM candidate and leader of the Opposition groping in black and white. Congress and others were reluctant to announce it. In that phase of non-declaration, Tejashwi Yadav was away from the media and had no election campaign. Fourth, the problem in seat distribution and anguish among the coalition. It is among the very few elections where a new world emerges, a friendly fight between the same group.

What else.

Bihar is not an easy election for any party. In most of the states, there are two dominant parties, but in Bihar, there are three dominant parties, i.e. JD(U), BJP and RJD. Other than these dominant players, some are emerging parties like LJP(Ramvials), VIP, HAM, RJP and others. There is a new player in the form of the Jan Swaraj Party of Prashant Kishore. Voters are divided among all these parties, and do not form a common voice.

Elections are held by the opposition by raising the issues of the ruling government. In this election of Bihar, one can easily notice there is no such issue or mudda which is central to their campaign which attracts the voters. Over it, there is the baggage of Jungle Raj of RJD on Tejaswi Yadav. There is visible fear among the voters of the result if the RJD comes to power. Though he is trying hard to hyphenate with Lalu Yadav. There is no mention of Lalu Yadav in the election rally, and the absence of photographs of him from hoardings and banners. Tejshwahi is trying to establish that he is a new face and make a new Bihar. It does not have a visible impact to make a limelight. It does not make him ineffective or not a player in the election. RJD has a cadre-based vote that is in significant numbers and makes RJD a dominant player in Bihar.

The most crucial factor of this cold election is Nitish Kumar. He has no anti-incumbency, but rather pro-incumbency, even after 20 years in power. Nitish Kumar is the fulcrum of Bihar politics. He has a very clean image. There is no allegation of corruption against him. He had a different image in regional parties, as most of them are regarded as parivarwadi parties. He kept his family and son out of active politics. He has a very strong hold on women voters. Look at the political aura of the person, even after this many years in office, the opposition has only one thing to say, ” BJP will not make him CM after winning the election”. This is the positive image of the person and a stronghold among its voters. IT is Nitish Kumar and others who will be in power.

Elections are the festival of democracy. People elect their representative. “We the people” will make government.

Divyanshu Vishen

(Views expressed are personal)