Lalu Prasad Yadav-led RJD topped the tally with 80 seats in Bihar Assembly polls.
By Sreejith Vallikunnu
The Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) comprising Janata Dal (U), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress swept the Bihar assembly elections with a majority of 178 seats out of 243, leaving the BJP-lead National Democratic Alliance with just 58 seats.
Lalu Prasad Yadav-led RJD topped the tally with 80 seats, followed by the JD(U)’s 71 and the Congress’s 27.
BJP could secure only 53 seats whereas its allies in the NDA, Lok Janshakti party (LJP) and Rashtriya Lok Samta party (RLSP) won two seats respectively. The NDA’s last minute alliance with Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha could secure only one seat.
CPI (ML) secured 3 seats and Independent candidates won four seats in the election.
The triumph of Grand Alliance is believed to be the result of Nitish Kumar’s successful implementation of developmental activities in Bihar and Lalu Prasad Yadav’s anti-divisive campaign. The landmark election that was alleged to have been a fight between so called ‘secular’ and ‘communal’ forces saw a bitter verbal battle between the two alliances on various topics such as intolerance, beef and caste.
The election was earlier viewed as a close fight between Prime Minister Narendra Modi against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. However, as the days progressed, it was said to be a battle between a ‘bihari’ (insider) and ‘bahri’ (outsider). At last, the mandate was in total favour of Nitish Kumar.
The result comes as a setback for Modi, who led BJP’s campaign to wrest Bihar with 30 rallies, as well as party president Amit Shah, who camped in Bihar for weeks.
The setback has already set off criticism from within the party. BJP MPs from Bihar, Shatrughnan Sinha and Chandan Mitra have questioned the campaign strategy of Shah.
After the victory, Nitish Kumar said, “The clear mandate for the Grand Alliance reflects the wisdom of the people. It shows that people have hopes of moving Bihar forward. We understand this and will work towards fulfilling the aspirations of people.”
“People have completely rejected efforts to divide them. It is clear now that on the national level, people want a powerful opposition,” he added.
RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav said, “Bihar results will have a long-term impact on national politics. It has given a new direction to the entire country. After this victory, we will proceed to Delhi. We will first go to Varanasi (PM Modi’s constituency). There was an attempt to communalise these elections. But, people of Bihar defeated this attempt.”
Lalu also added that Nithish Kumar will be the chief minister for the next five years. Nitish will be the second longest serving chief minister of the state as he embarks for the fifth time.
Meanwhile, AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi said, “This is a victory of unity over divisiveness. Humility over arrogance. Love over hate. A victory of the people of Bihar”.
“Best wishes to the new government that is to be formed. I hope they lead Bihar on a progressive path,” reacted BJP national president Amit Shah on the mandate. The Prime Minister also called up Nitish Kumar and congratulated him on his victory.