In Bihar’s high-stakes political arena, the battle lines are often drawn around two powerful phrases: “sushasan” (good governance) and “jungle raj.” While the ruling NDA has long used the latter to criticize the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the opposition Mahagathbandhan claims it has a concrete plan to fight back this election season. According to senior leaders, their strategy involves a direct counter on the issue of law and order, centering on police reforms and a balanced approach to recruitment.
What is the Opposition’s Specific Strategy?
Following Chhath Puja, the Mahagathbandhan, or Grand Alliance, is getting ready to announce its united election pledges, emphasizing the recovery of the governance narrative. The plan places a strong focus on police changes, according to two top leaders who spoke about it on condition of anonymity. This is a direct attempt to counter the NDA’s relentless attacks on the RJD’s past record. The opposition bloc’s promises will focus on improving law and order through these reforms and ensuring a more balanced approach to police recruitment at the ground level to enable aspirants from different castes to join the force.
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What Other Key Themes Will Their Manifesto Highlight?
Beyond law and order, the opposition alliance’s manifesto will pivot towards pressing public welfare issues. A third leader involved in the drafting exercise revealed that the document will concentrate on three key areas: education, jobs, and labour migration. Increased funding in education and job creation will be a central theme, alongside a commitment to improving health services. To add a localized touch, the Congress party separately plans to release mini-manifestos tailored to the 61 specific seats where its candidates are contesting.
How is the NDA Framing Its Campaign?
The ruling NDA coalition has launched a full-scale offensive centered on the “jungle raj” critique. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently stated that the people of Bihar will “never forget the misdeeds of jungle raj for another 100 years.” Similarly, Union Home Minister Amit Shah claimed that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar freed Bihar from that era, which he said pushed the state back by half a century. Kumar himself has highlighted his government’s work in establishing the rule of law over the past two decades, despite having been in an alliance with the RJD for part of that period.
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How is the Opposition Hitting Back?
The alliance’s chief ministerial face, Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD, has launched a counterattack, challenging the very foundation of the NDA’s allegations. He has sought to deflect the criticism by pointing to law and order issues in BJP-ruled states. “When a road rage incident takes place in Bihar it is called jungle raj, but the highest cases of road rage take place in Delhi. So is there a jungle raj in Delhi?” he asked last week. This rhetorical question is part of a broader effort to reframe the debate and put the NDA on the defensive as the election campaign heats up.
