Bihar has a rich history from ancient to modern times. Vaishali in Bihar was the first democracy in the world. Mahatma Gandhi launched the Freedom Movement from Bihar and so did Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) to restore democracy when it was eclipsed during Emergency. Two student leaders of JP movement, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar, have dominated Bihar politics over the last quarter of a century. JP advocated caste reservation on economic basis. They repudiated this and jumped on to the Mandal bandwagon in pursuit of political gains. Both became Bihar chief ministers and also Cabinet ministers in Delhi in the United Progressive Alliance and National Democratic Alliance governments respectively.
Mr Yadav anointed his wife, Rabri Devi, to succeed him as chief minister. Overnight a housewife became the chief minister of Bihar. Under Mr Yadav’s de jure and de facto rule, law and order became extinct and corruption was rampant. Mr Yadav was convicted in the fodder scam and is presently on bail. During his rule, the economy of the state was in tatters. No wonder there was great relief among the people when Mr Yadav’s misrule ended. His hold on the Yadavs, however, has largely survived. He is still a political force to reckon with in Bihar.
Mr Kumar, an engineering graduate known for his personal integrity, broke away from his friend Mr Yadav and joined the NDA, becoming a Cabinet minister at the Centre and, thereafter, chief minister of Bihar. Law and order improved, road construction made progress, girls received bicycles to go to schools and the economy gained momentum.
Both Narendra Modi and Mr Kumar were praised as successful chief ministers. They started being viewed as contenders for the post of Prime Minister. This fired Mr Kumar’s political ambition. As a Central minister he was on good terms with Mr Modi during and after the 2002 Gujarat riots. While some ministers resigned from the NDA government in 2002, Mr Kumar found it convenient to continue enjoying the fruits of power. But when Mr Modi was declared the Bharatiya Janata Party’s candidate for the post of Prime Minister, Mr Kumar broke his party’s 17 year old alliance with the BJP. Thereafter, a downward slide started in the state’s administration and in his political fortunes.
Janata Dal (United) ministers who succeeded the BJP ministers were found wanting in their ability to deliver. Surprisingly, Mr Kumar himself tripped on three occasions. Despite two successive warnings from the Centre of terrorist attack at Bodh Gaya, his administration failed to take any preventive measures. It was providential that the terrorist attack on the holy shrine did not do much damage. Instead of taking suitable action, Mr Kumar commented that terrorist attacks are common. Twenty-three school children died in Saran district after poisonous food was served to them. Mr Kumar did not visit the school. Some of the boys came for treatment to Patna general hospital. He did not go to see them. Security arrangements for Mr Modi’s mega election rally at Gandhi Maidan, Patna, in 2014, were lax. Bombs were thrown at the rally causing casualties. Elementary medical aid for the injured was missing and they had to be taken to hospitals in rickshaws.
After his party’s debacle in the 2014 parliamentary election, Mr Kumar, taking a high moral ground and accepting responsibility for the defeat, resigned. He installed a party member as chief minister, hoping that his candidate would be a puppet while he would continue to rule the state. As this did not happen, Mr Kumar pulled the carpet from under his nominee’s feet and is now back as chief minister.
Assembly elections in Bihar are due in three months. Mr Kumar and Mr Yadav, bitter adversaries for a long time, have become friends again. Because of his conviction in a criminal case Mr Yadav can’t contest elections or hold public office. The two have formed an anti-BJP front comprising Opposition parties, including the Congress. Bihar is a highly caste-oriented society. The alliance of Mr Yadav and backward castes plus en bloc Muslim support, can be formidable. Agreement has been reached to project Mr Kumar as the chief minister, but the devil lies in details. The distribution of seats for may become the Achilles’ heel of the alliance.
The distribution of seats for contesting election may become the Achilles' heel of the alliance. Mr Yadav will press for maximum seats for his party so that he has the required clout in the Assembly. Mr Kumar’s comment of sandalwood being impervious to snake and identifying himself with former has ruffled feathers despite his clarification that he was not referring to Mr Yadav.
The BJP has wide support among the upper castes and the intelligentsia. Three popular leaders of extremely backward castes are its partners. Delhi Assembly election was basically a mega municipal election. It has little relevance for a major state like Bihar where the Modi wave continues to be a potent factor. Mr Modi’s achievements in foreign affairs have been stupendous. India is also developing military muscle to prevent any military adventurism against her.
Internally, after a paralysis in governance, we now have a proactive government with innovative ideas being implemented for the good of the poor and giving a boost to the economy. India’s GDP is rising and inflation is lower. Fifteen million bank accounts have been opened for the poor, road construction increased from one km to 10 km per day and so on.
The Ganga moved over a mile from the bank at Patna. Dredging of the Ganga has started and a channel of the river will be brought to the bank before Chhath puja. Lakhs of pilgrims will be able to pray to the Sun god from the river in comfort and safely.
Election campaign has commenced in Bihar. The BJP is deploying a hundred-odd hi-tech raths, Mr Kumar has started “Har ghar dastak” campaign on bicycles, and the irrepressible Mr Yadav is to campaign on tumtums with lantern. The wind is blowing towards the BJP, like last month’s state council election results. Though its electorate is restricted to intelligentsia, they are the leaders of the society. The results of Bihar Assembly elections will have a great impact on national politics. I hope that they will be in the best interest of my home state.
The writer, a retired lieutenant-general, was Vice-Chief of Army Staff and has served as governor of Assam and Jammu and Kashmir
