Patna (Bihar): Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Tuesday took a dig at the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), claiming that the coalition, including the BJP and Janata Dal (United) led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, would face defeat in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Lalu Yadav used the slogan, “Chhah or gyarah, NDA nau do gyarah,” hinting at the NDA’s projected loss following the Election Commission of India (ECI) announcement. The EC announced on Monday that the elections for all 243 Assembly seats will be held in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with the counting scheduled for November 14.

NDA leaders respond

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President JP Nadda welcomed the announcement of the polls, praising it as a grand festival of democracy.

Shah expressed confidence in the NDA retaining power, stating, “Under the leadership of PM Modi, the NDA government has freed Bihar from ‘Jungle Raj’ and placed it firmly on the path of development and good governance.”

JP Nadda also highlighted the democratic significance of the elections in a post on X, calling them the “greatest festival of democracy” and emphasising that elections are crucial for maintaining development and governance in the state.

Opposition voices

Opposition parties questioned the credibility of the Election Commission and pushed for change after two decades of NDA governance in Bihar.

Congress leader Rashid Alvi expressed distrust in the EC, saying, “EC cannot be trusted…I am confident that EC won’t conduct fair elections in Bihar. If fair elections are held in Bihar, the BJP-Nitish Kumar government will never come to power.”

From the Shiv Sena (UBT), MP Priyanka Chaturvedi urged voters to bring a new era of governance, stating, “People of Bihar have been deceived for years. Bihar has been only towards misery. Voting will be held for a positive change in Bihar. I urge everyone in Bihar to vote for a new government.”

Electoral context

In the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, the RJD emerged as the single largest party with 75 seats, while the BJP closely followed with 74 seats. Both parties maintain a strong voter base, making the upcoming elections highly competitive.

The entry of a new player, Jan Suraaj, is expected to influence the electoral outcome, with smaller parties potentially playing a crucial role in forming the next government. Analysts predict a tight contest, with voter sentiment and alliances likely determining the final mandate.

Conclusion

With the Bihar elections set for November 6 and 11, political activity is expected to intensify, with parties from both the NDA and opposition gearing up for a high-stakes contest. The polls will test the electoral strength of longstanding political players and potentially reshape the state’s governance landscape.