Bihar Assembly elections
PATNA, Nov 12: As the counting day draws near in Bihar after a fiercely contested campaign followed by a record voter turnout in the assembly polls, both the BJP-led NDA and the INDIA bloc have expressed confidence in their prospects, with the ruling alliance interpreting the high polling as a renewed mandate for good governance, and the Opposition terming it as a clear sign of the public’s desire for a change.
The crucial outcome on Friday will make it clear whether Nitish Kumar, the JD(U) president and the longest-serving Chief Minister, has enough public support to secure a record fifth consecutive term, or the people have opted for a change.
Exit polls have been nearly unanimous in predicting a clean sweep for the NDA, of which the JD(U) is a part, much to the annoyance of the opposition INDIA bloc.
The atmosphere was upbeat in the NDA camp, with BJP leaders already placing orders for massive quantities of sweets to be distributed on what they already foresee as the “day of victory”.
“The people voted for ‘vikas’ (development), which only the combined leadership of Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar can provide. Exit polls are reflecting the public sentiment, though we believe the scale of victory will be bigger than what has been projected,” said Nityanand Rai, Union minister and former state BJP president.
Senior JD(U) leader Shravan Kumar, who held the rural development portfolio in the outgoing government, also predicted a victory for the NDA, but with a difference. “The JD(U) is all set to regain its status as the numero uno party in the state. My prediction is that we are going to win not less than 65-70 seats. I do not set much store by exit polls, but I feel the NDA will have a comfortable majority, with a tally of 130-135”, Kumar said.
Meanwhile, Tejashwi Yadav, the young RJD leader whom the opposition coalition has named its “Chief Ministerial candidate”, rubbished these predictions and cited past goof-ups in the media like exaggerated reports of Indian armed forces’ action during Operation Sindoor and, more recently, unverified reports of “death” of legendary actor Dharmendra, who was convalescing at a Mumbai hospital.
Congress’ media and publicity chairman Pawan Khera believes that the high turnout was proof that people have voted for a change. “I have been in Bihar for a long time during the elections. I have felt the pulse of the people. They have voted for a change. The high turnout was an expression of their anger against unemployment and corruption, for which they wanted to punish the NDA. We are going to win and form the next government”, Khera told PTI.
CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, whose party is the third largest INDIA bloc constituent, voiced a similar opinion, saying “our ground reports and the high voter turnout suggest Bihar has voted for change”. “Elections in India are now a serial hurdle race. The people of Bihar who succeeded in crossing the SIR hurdle and managed to protect and use their votes should now overcome the third hurdle and ensure accurate counting of votes,” added Bhattacharya. (PTI)
