Indra’s Drishtikona (Viewpoint)

Tomorrow That May Change The Future of Bihar

Posted : November 21, 2005 at 9:32 pm [IST]

The assembly election for this single state has taken more than a month. It has to be so as the state is special. I personally think it as shameful that a country with so huge resources require this much time for conducting a fair election in a state. If one state takes more than a month, how much time should it take for the whole country?

Every one is eagerly waiting for this day, when the electorate verdict stored in the electronic voting machines will be known. Election commission has earned a name for keeping the miscreants away from the polling booths for the first time in Bihar, which had invented and mastered the booth capturing as an art or science. Surprisingly, a media headline says, ‘Not Lalu or Nitish, real winner is the electorate’. While media give credit for Bihar’s image makeover to KJ Rao of Election commission, Bihar babudom is not ready to accept that version and emphasizes the role played by the state administration.

Lalu and Nitish both claim a win for their alliances. Exit polls hand it to NDA. All the three polls-Star News, Zee News, Channel 7- conducted by professional consultants give at least NDA a clear lead. Their statistical sampling method is on test again. Media are abuzz with various analyses and reports that predict a change of 15-years Lalu raj. However, final verdict of Bihari electorate with a total caste based orientation may surprise the predictions.

Whosoever wins, Bihar may get a better governance. The winner will have to do that, as the electorate can’t be cheated all the time. With Nitish, chance of a better development-based governance will be certain. However, if Lalu insists for her wife to head the government in case of his win, I doubt if any significant change in governance will be possible. In that case Lalu must shift to Patna from Rail Bhawan in interest of Bihar. Congress should insist for that. He could get all the assistance and cooperation from the central government for the execution of all the projects for the development of Bihar. And then he can perpetuate the dynastic rule of his family for many years to come. If the people in majority wishes that, who can stop that? After all, we have chosen this democracy as our destiny.

P.S at 11.38 22.11.2005, Tuesday

DEMOCRACY TRIUMPS

So, it has happened. Bihar provided an unique leadership again (something that reminds me of Jai Prakash Narayan during emergency days) and proved that democracy has a deep root in this ancient land. Basically, it is win of democracy. I too was very skeptical.

It was Laloo and Ram Vilash who kept on emphasizing secularism. No state can claim to have better history of secularism than Bihar from Ashoka’s days. People there believe in it and live that. Laloo misled them. Laloo could not cash on that any more this time. He had done it already for 15 years.

Surprisingly, barriers of both caste and community disappeared this time to remove the dynastic misrule of Laloo. Even areas, with majority of Yadavs and Muslims voted significantly in favour of NDA to defeat the Laloo’s alliance.

Poll surveys and prediction has not been proved wrong, but they couldn’t predict the landslide victory in favour of JD (U) and more particularly, Nitish Kumar. But the best part of the campaign of NDA was the dedication with which they worked and buried the entire individual and party differences to get this win.

NDA wins. Let them bring the development to Bihar. Let Bihar compete with the developed southern and northern states. Let the bogey of caste and community be buried very deep for ever.

Some reports
End of the Rope for ‘Lalu Raj’ in Bihar?
NDA storms ahead in Bihar, Lalu’s 15-year-rule to end
Curtains down on Lalu’s 15-year rule in Bihar
NDA heads for majority in Bihar, 15-yr-old Laloo raj to end

And if wish to read all..

- Indra

Category: Indian politics |