BJP seems to be carving out its own niche in the oncoming Bihar assembly elections. This is particularly so as the BJP campaigner and union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman has offered free corona vaccine for votes in the impending Bihar elections. Even as PM Modi declared that the centre is working out the distribution of the vaccine, does it mean that Bihar will be the first state to get the corona vaccine? But how can the centre decide when health is the state subject.
But even as one can say the centre has a prerogative given corona is a national calamity, the fact remains that Bihar are not biting the vaccine bait. Now taking cue Tamil Nadu and MP too have offered free vaccine. Even though the JD (U) – BJP combine remains intact as a pre-poll alignment in the assembly elections yet it is becoming increasingly clear that the BJP pulling out all the stops to one-up JD(U) and emerge victor. Even as there are ground reports that the voters of Bihar are done with the Sushasan babus 15 year stint.
A strong antiincumbency current is appearing against sushasan babu. while the BJP has promised 19 lakh jobs the RJD has pipped 10 lakh. On the other hand people appear inclined towards the RJD lest Laloo. But say that Tejashvi is too young or too inexperienced to take on the mantle of his father Laloo Yadav. And the BJP looks lIke is keen to take on this dilemma of the Biharis. But Bihar elections are turning out to be a litmus test both for NDA and the Mahagathbandhan coalitions. Meanwhile Chirag Paswan led LJP is digging its heels.
The JD(U) and BJP have agreed to share seats in 122- 121 ratio while LJP is to fight in 143 seats. This leaves the RJD Tejaswhi Yadav who has offered 10 lakh jobs but the fact remains as Nitish asked where will the salaries come from? The Mahagathbandhan is in tatters and is unable to capitalise on the failures of the Sudhashan babu. Moreover, unemployment and bad state revenue is an important issue with the Covid 2019 epidemic.
However, the issue of Bihari migrant labourers is a big issue . Currently JD (U) has 69 seats while BJP has 54 LJP has 2 seats while HAM has 1 plus independents. Given the antiincumbency factor the LJP has decided to fight in 143 seats many pitted against JD(U). Political pundits see an antiincumbency wave against Nitish Kumar. With this the JD(U) has already to resorted to the Modis face to win votes this time, it is learnt. It is learnt that the campaigning this time meanwhile will have several smaller parties like HAM and VIP gauging opportunity to shifting their support to the winning party. Since 2015, the BJP has gained grounds in Bihar.
