Nitish Kumar is all set to once again become the Chief Minister of Bihar, thanks to the inadvertent assistance the NDA received from the Congress, a constituent of the rival Mahagathbandhan. In fact, it was the shoddy performance of the grand old party that spoiled the chances of Tejashwi Yadav from becoming the head of the state government. The Congress contested on 70 seats, while it had no presence in most areas because it lacked both an organisational infra-structure and made faulty selection of candidates. In fact, even party general secretary Tariq Anwar, a veteran Bihar politician, conceded that the Opposition alliance had failed to provide the requisite challenge on account of his own outfit. The astounding matter was that the Congress had put Randeep Surjewala, a Rahul Gandhi favourite, who had forfeited his own deposit in the last two polls he contested, as the overall in-charge along with some others, who lacked experience of fighting elections on the ground. Tariq was neither consulted nor made a part of the core group to decide on state affairs. The result was that the party fielded more nominees than it should have, and in the process, gave tickets to undeserving people at many places. The allegation was that some tickets were also sold; such accusations are always levelled after every election and remain unsubstantiated. However, what is true is that the Mahagathbandhan could have been strengthened, if Jitin Ram Manjhi, Asaduddin Owaisi and some others had been accommodated to provide a strong alliance against the NDA.
The role of the Election Commission has also come under scrutiny and Tejashwi has charged the officials of taking decisions which were in favour of the ruling dispensation in places where the margins were very narrow. His claim is that if the officials had not been influenced, the Mahagathbandhan would have been in a majority. Independent observers also believe that the EC could have been more transparent and not allowed its impartiality to be challenged. It is now inevitable that the aggrieved parties would go to the court and seek redressal. But the law takes its own course and quick decisions are very rare.
The NDA victory is narrow and there is no doubt that even in defeat, Tejashwi was the star of the latest confrontation. He has carved out a position for himself and that too without involving his father and two-time Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav. He is a man to watch in the future and without any doubt, he would be the OBC young icon of the 2024 parliamentary elections. Nitish has been elected as the leader of the NDA legislative party. But it is unlikely that he would wield the kind of influence he had earlier, with the BJP breathing down his neck all the time. He has actually been caged by the saffron brigade, at least for the time being, and it is to be seen how he breaks the shackles and remains his own master. The Congress must introspect deeply and should not allow leaders of no gravitas to steer its destiny. If this continues, the party may end up abetting the NDA to steal many other future elections as well.
