Bihar verdict shows politics of hatred, polarisation failed
Top NDA leaders failed to convince Bihar that development was its only agenda
New Delhi: The BJP-led NDA lost its development narrative to hate politics in Bihar. Controversial remarks by its leaders, including party chief Amit Shah, were seen to overshadow its development plank, with party leaders failing to convince voters that the NDA could do better than what chief minister Nitish Kumar had done.
Top NDA leaders also failed to convince Bihar that development was its only agenda, not indulging in hate politics or polarisation, of which it was accused of by its opponents. The BJP’s “return of jungle raj” campaign also fell flat.
The BJP, that gives itself credit for coming to power in several states, winning in Haryana, Maharashtra and Jharkhand after its stunning performance in last year’s Lok Sabha elections, also failed to convince Bihar voters that there was anti-incumbency against Mr Kumar. The BJP’s highest decision-making body, the parliamentary board, will neet on Monday to introspect on why it failed.
While the BJP continued on its development plank till the first phase of elections, its campaign was seen to be deviating after that, with controversial remarks including on the beef controversy that followed the Dadri lynching incident, by its top leaders.