Whereas the NDA registered an enormous victory within the Bihar meeting elections, the JD(U)’s efficiency was distinctive. After polling in 2020 with simply 43 seats in comparison with 74 for its ally Bharatiya Janata Social gathering, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s celebration received virtually double this time with 85 seats, near the Bharatiya Janata Social gathering’s 89 seats. indian categoricalIn , JD(U) nationwide labor chief Sanjay Jha talks concerning the celebration’s sturdy present and Nitish’s position within the NDA’s victory, amongst different points. excerpt:
A frontrunner’s credibility is essential. The work that Nitish Kumar ji has performed over the past twenty years…offering governance, progress and safety…its outcomes are seen on the bottom. Due to this fact, when he made a promise, folks believed that it could come true.
This mandate additionally exhibits that Bihar has moved past caste politics. Many votes have been forged on points corresponding to growth, progress and way forward for Bihar. Girls as voters voted for us and blunted caste and faith. That is good for the nation.
However this sort of mission additionally comes with numerous expectations. So it may be fairly a problem. No matter we decide to in our manifesto, we should obtain over the following 5 years.
* What do you assume are the three fundamental causes that led to this victory?
One is that Nitish Kumar’s 20-year observe document has created a pro-incumbent ambiance in Bihar. On so many issues, the federal government has performed an incredible job. Folks do not simply keep in mind the interval from 2005 to 2010. Between 2020 and 2025, numerous work has been performed on the bottom.
The second is a twin-engine authorities. For Biharis, it’s a dream mixture with Mr. Modi because the Prime Minister and Mr. Nitish Kumar because the CM. Folks thought this was Bihar’s second. Each the 2024 and 2025 Union budgets have given a big allocation to Bihar. The Prime Minister has been visiting Bihar virtually each month for the previous few years to launch or announce some venture or one other. This performed its position.
The third is my hopes for the following 5 years. When the Indian economic system opened up in 1991-92, a number of states benefited. Overseas funding got here and IT firms appeared. Nevertheless, the federal government that got here to energy in Bihar at the moment arrange a kidnapping trade. So, Bihar missed a possibility. When Nitish Kumar got here to energy in 2005, it took him 15 years simply to get issues proper within the state. Bihar is at present within the take-off part. Now, Bihar residents are asking why they need to lag behind different developed nations when it comes to industrialization and job creation. Folks imagine we’re in one of the best place to make that occur now.
* JD(U) has virtually doubled its quantity. How did we obtain this turnaround?
It is a credit score to Nitish Kumar. The celebration was shaped in 1994 in opposition to the unhealthy governance of the RJD. It was constructed with the blood and sweat of Nitish Kumar. All socialist events grew to become dynastic events. Solely Nitish Kumar didn’t promote his members of the family. In any other case, I would not be right here. Our celebration officers additionally labored arduous.
The outcomes of 2020 left a nasty style. The query that remained in Nitish Kumar’s thoughts was why the celebration’s efficiency was so poor when the federal government was doing so nicely. So we targeted on the seats we misplaced final time, and there was important mobilization by celebration employees over the previous yr. This time the tickets have been distributed nicely and the one issue was whether or not we may win or not.
Additionally, this time the complete NDA was intact. It performed a giant position. That is the primary time I’ve seen an election the place every thing is undamaged and compact, whether or not it is seats or campaigns. And we began early. Leaders of all eligible political events concurrently visited all 243 constituencies and held NDA conferences. This has by no means occurred earlier than in Bihar. Typically the leaders have been united, however the employees weren’t. Nevertheless, this time the adjustment right down to the bottom degree was clean.
* However do you’ve gotten doubts about Nitish’s well being?
Nitish Kumar held 73 rallies in the course of the election interval. He traversed greater than 600 kilometers of roads and held greater than 20 rallies in numerous districts when it began raining and the helicopter was unable to fly. This individual is a 74-year-old chief. Individuals who declare they wished to be CMs after they have been younger have been sitting at residence and posting on social media. I believe that claims all of it.
*The opposition celebration blames the defeat on “choli voting.” How do you reply that?
That is shameless. Your entire nationwide media was on the bottom masking the election. Ask what the general public suggestions was within the subject. Who was voting for the Congress?The Congress performed a yatra on voting chori and SIR. Throughout the election, there was not a single criticism from the general public that their vote was not counted. You (Congress) are spreading such lies. And you’ve got hidden all the issues of RJD below it. And I did not observe the yatra both. It simply disappeared from the dialog concerning the election. That is as a result of there was nothing within the retailer.
*RJD tried to develop its base by including Malars and Turntis, nevertheless it had no impact. Why do you assume the EBC continues to assist Nitish?
EBC won’t ever depart Nitish Kumar. There isn’t a means his assist base will shift to RJD. Their type of politics won’t ever be accepted by civil society. Folks nonetheless have reminiscences of these days. Due to this fact, it doesn’t matter what you do, you’ll not obtain assist.
We additionally did deliveries (for the poor). Voters know the place they get their free meals from and who works for them. Poor persons are extra trustworthy about this stuff. When you make a distinction in a poor man’s life, he won’t ever betray you.
* Opposition events additionally declare that you simply received the vote by transferring Rs 10,000 to the girl’s account earlier than voting. These are referred to as “bribes.”
That is an insult to the ladies of Bihar. Girls empowerment shouldn’t be a brand new phenomenon in Bihar. It has been taking place for the previous 20 years. Self Assist Group or Jeevika Group was established 15 years in the past. These are a part of Bihar’s growth story.
And the cash given to ladies shouldn’t be free. This funding was supplied for companies. So many ladies are shopping for stitching machines, opening outlets, shopping for goats, and pooling their cash to purchase cows.
* What do you assume is accountable for LJP(RV)’s spectacular efficiency – Chirag’s charisma or NDA’s attraction?
This was the results of the NDA combating as an intact drive. That features Chirag Paswan. In any other case, it could have been inconceivable to exceed the 200 mark. Due to this fact, all alliance companions contributed.
* How do you assume this victory will have an effect on the dynamics throughout the NDA in Bihar?
The dynamics stay the identical. We work collectively and are in good alignment. The bigger function is what we should accomplish after this sort of mission. The connection between the 2 central states can be excellent.
* The Bharatiya Janata Social gathering can now type a authorities with different allies with out you. Will Nitish proceed to be a CM for the following 5 years?
We can not touch upon such hypothesis right now. Issues will change into clear when the time comes. Internally, there is no such thing as a confusion throughout the NDA.
* What are the brand new authorities’s priorities? Opinion polls present that migration is a matter.
The subsequent 5 years would be the period of younger folks. We promised a billion jobs and jobs. The precedence is to get funding and trade in Bihar. The subsequent precedence is to amass expertise. Bihar has the very best youth inhabitants within the nation. We could not industrialize or usher in investments early as a result of we weren’t prepared. At the moment, we’re additionally receiving assist from the Middle. Industrial actions at the moment are seen in each district of Bihar.
