Jitendra K Shrivastava
Tribune News Service
Patna, April 4
Bihar is likely to witness a close contest between the “mahagathbandhan” (grand alliance) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. Votes of economically backward classes (EBCs) and Dalits will be the deciding factor, sources believe.
In the past, Muslim-Yadav electors (about 31% of total voters in the state) were often seen reposing faith in the grand alliance, particularly RJD chief Lalu Prasad; while the BJP-led NDA bagged upper caste Koiri-Kurmi votes (around 27% of total votes).
Any shift in the EBC and Dalit votes (26% of total electors) has the potential to tilt the balance in favour of either the NDA or the grand alliance. This time around, these voters appear divided between the NDA and the grand alliance.
PM Narendra Modi’s “clean image” and his endeavour to clamp down on corruption have apparently made these voters take note of the NDA rule, especially in the light of allegations of ‘corruption” and misrule against grand alliance leaders.
“PM Modi has a clean image and his efforts to control corruption have been commendable. Rural areas in Bihar have witnessed large-scale electrification, besides improved road connectivity under Nitish Kumar. The law and order has also improved. All these factors have the potential to gravitate voters towards the NDA. However, issues relating to falling standard of education, health care, jobs and social justice may go against it,” said Prabhat P Ghose, Director, Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI), Patna.
“Corruption allegations are likely to work against the grand alliance, while factors such as social justice and social equation may benefit it,” he said.
Gaya resident Pankaj Manjhi said: “Remote villages have witnessed electrification, construction of roads and toilets. Modi ji has also been able to instil confidence among the people by taking some strong decisions, including Balakot air strikes. There has also been a check on terror incidents across the country. These reasons are sufficient enough to vote for the NDA in spite of Jitan Ram Manjhi’s popularity and his clean image.”
MAHAGATHBANDHAN VS NDA
- In the past, Muslim-Yadav electors (about 31% of total voters in the state) were often seen reposing faith in the grand alliance, particularly RJD chief Lalu Prasad, while the BJP-led NDA bagged upper caste Koiri-Kurmi votes (around 27% of total votes)
- Any shift in the EBC and Dalit votes (26% of total electors) has the potential to tilt the balance in favour of either the NDA or the grand alliance.
from The Tribune http://bit.ly/2I9mgoZ
via Today’s News Headlines
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