As the Bihar elections unfold, the political landscape is defined by intricate caste dynamics and fierce competition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has projected a significant victory for the NDA, predicting a low seat count for the RJD and Congress. He has directly challenged Tejashwi Yadav and Rahul Gandhi, labeling them ‘princes on bail’ and accusing them of making empty promises and disrespecting cultural practices like Chhath Puja fasting. Voters were urged to reject these leaders.
Amidst the political fervor, Rabri Devi, former Bihar CM and wife of RJD patriarch Lalu Prasad, actively campaigned for her son Tejashwi Yadav in Raghopur. However, reports indicate unrest within the RJD camp, with Tej Pratap Yadav facing rejection from supporters and instances of election-related violence, including an attack on a candidate and a shooting incident in Mokama.
Tejashwi Yadav is navigating complex alliance challenges, notably in Darbhanga’s Gaura Bauram constituency. He urged RJD voters to support Santosh Sahni, brother of VIP chief Mukesh Sahni, despite local RJD leader Afzal Khan being in the running. This strategic maneuver aims to balance appeasing the Mallah community while avoiding alienating Muslim voters.
The RJD has expelled numerous rebel candidates, and the Congress faces similar internal dissent with expelled members running independently. These ‘friendly contests’ between grand alliance parties have drawn comparisons to ‘oil and water’ by PM Modi, highlighting potential internal friction.
While Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav have appeared at joint rallies, their campaign strategies differ significantly. Tejashwi’s rhetoric avoids direct attacks on industrialist families like Adani and Ambani, refrains from personal criticism of PM Modi, and sidesteps the ‘vote chori’ narrative. Instead, he focuses on branding Amit Shah as an ‘outsider’ and emphasizing Bihari identity and resilience.
The lingering issue of ‘jungle raj’ and corruption casts a shadow over Tejashwi’s campaign, while questions about Nitish Kumar’s health are also being raised. The entry of Prashant Kishor with a new political vision and the significant presence of AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi add further layers of complexity to the election’s outcome. Early assessments from reporters suggest the Nitish-Modi alliance currently holds a discernible edge.