Both the fronts, the Nitish Kumar-led grand alliance and the BJP-led NDA, appear to be evenly matched in the electoral battle in Bihar. In the absence of a Modi wave, nobody can predict the outcome of the tight race. On the one hand, the theatrics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lost its aura as there has been no sign of the promised achche din. But there is no denying the fact that the BJP, backed by big corporates and Right-wing organisations, has emerged as the country’s single largest party.
This has obviously left the so-called champions of social justice floundering helplessly and racking their brains on how to halt the BJP’s phenomenal growth in Bihar’s political space. It is in the BJP’s DNA to tap religious identity for electoral gain. But this time, the BJP has no sensitive issue at hand to stir the communal cauldron.
The fear among the lower castes, that the BJP may do away with reservations, can turn the tide to BJP’s disadvantage. The Bihar election is being closely watched, as the outcome is bound to trigger significant changes in national politics.