Whosoever said, politics is a different ball game seems to
have it right. The unprecedented pace of events that unfolded in Bihar politics
were no less a roller coaster ride. Even the hard-core political junkies were
astounded by the unraveling of developments that outpaced conventional
thinking. Till now obtaining numbers was considered the ultimate salvation in
politics. But now cementing the political mandate and staking claims to form
government has become latest gold standard in Indian politics.
High drama unfurled in Bihar with Nitish Kumar tendering
resignation as the Chief minister by parting ways with Mahaghatbhandan, an
alliance of convenience formed in 2015, to defeat BJP. The flurry of political
activity that ensued following the public announcement of Nitish’s resignation
can throw avid political observers into tizzy. Startled by quick pace of
developments critics alleged that Nitish’s move was pre-meditated and in part
orchestrated by stalwarts in BJP. But a close look at the series of events
aimed at consolidation of political mandate suggests that it wasn’t
choreographed after all. No sooner, had Nitish announced his resignation, Prime
Minister Modi congratulated him and extended his support in his fight against
corruption. Soon the BJP MLAs in Bihar assembled to take stock of the recent developments.
Meanwhile, as a matter of sheer coincidence, top leaders of BJP at Delhi
discussed Bihar issue at a pre-scheduled BJP parliamentary board meet. Soon a
three-member panel containing State BJP President Nityanand Rai, Sushil Modi
and Leader of Opposition in Assembly Prem Kumar was constituted to analyze
situation of Bihar. Shortly, Sushil Modi in unequivocal terms announced that
BJP was against mid-term elections.
In the meanwhile, Lalu Prasad Yadav lashed out at Nitish
Kumar and levelled murder charges against Nitish Kumar reminding him that a FIR
was lodged against him. Lalu’s press meet was followed by statement from the
Congress, junior partner of the grand alliance, resenting the sudden
resignation of Nitish Kumar and promised to work for resolving the differences
in the “grand alliance”. Lalu Prasad
Yadav, has a reputation of being master of coalitions. BJP and JD (U) wary of
his horse trading politics, quickly made decisions. BJP announces support for
JD(U) and elects Nitish Kumar as the leader of state for NDA alliance with
Sushil Modi as Deputy Chief Minister. Without losing any time, both parties
together garner support of all its MLAs. BJP soon hands over letter of support
from 132 legislators to Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi.
It must be noted during the entire process of hectic
political rallying and consolidation, Congress, the grand old party, known to
have gone through thick and thin of Indian politics, plagued by political
lethargy failed to take a plunge into the political disarray. Baring a
statement from Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, hardly it made any
noise. The reluctant, Congress Vice-President’s indifference was glaringly
conspicuous for not issuing a public statement even after this ground-breaking
development in Bihar. Let alone summoning leaders to Patna to resolve the
issue, the deafening silence and dereliction of political responsibilities
smoothened the path towards power for JD(U), BJP combine. In sharp contrast,
vivacity, political acumen, alacrity, mobilization of cadres, timely
intervention and right decision paved way for realization of political
ambitions for BJP.
RJD, miffed by power claims of JD(U), BJP combined made
attempts to foil their attempts late in the midnight. After Nitish Kumar
received invitation to form government, Tejashwi Yadav sought appointment with
Governor and stakes claim to form government. Dubbed as “midnight rush” reports of preponement of swearing-in ceremony from
5pm to 10 am cropped up. As a last bid attempt, Tejashwi marches to Raj Bhavan
with his MLA’s requesting governor to allow them to form the government for
being the single largest party.
Meanwhile, Lalu Yadav calls for a state-wide agitation by RJD workers.
But ultimately withdraws the call an hour before Nitish Kumar’s swearing-in as
chief Minister of Bihar under NDA alliance. Amidst sec-144 imposed near Raj
Bhavan, Nitish Kumar was back as chief minister of Bihar in less than 15 hours
of his resignation and divorce from “grand alliance”. With rumors of horse
trading running high and dry, Governor ordered for a floor test in the next 24
hrs.
Interestingly, minutes after Nitish was sworn-in Rahul
Gandhi, fired a salvo saying, “He (Nitish)
joined hands with us in anti-communal fight, but Nitish Kumar, for his personal
politics, joined hands with those against whom he has fought”. He added “In politics you come to know of what is
going on in the minds of the people. Clearly, I knew Nitishji is planning. We
knew this was going on for the last three-four months. People do anything for
selfish motives. There is no principle, no credibility. They can do anything
for power”. Apparently, Nitish is known to be a wily politician and an
opportunist. Flush with national
ambitions, Nitish had parted ways with BJP after 17 years of alliance. Having
earned a formidable reputation for his clean image in politics, Nitish
eventually aspired to make a grand standing in national political arena.
Narendra Modi’s overwhelming charisma and burgeoning popularity began to
constrain Nitish’s ambitions. These seeds of frustration augured by growing
stature of Modi led to crumbling of JD(U), BJP alliance. To give more power to
his ambitions, Nitish joined hands with RJD and Congress forming the
Mahaghatbhandan which erroneously split the votes catapulting the grand
alliance to power. Nitish believed that he would be favorably rewarded for his
good governance and would emerge as the key player in the grand alliance gaining
maximum numbers. But RJD emerged as the single largest party. Despite
administrative encumbrance and political differences Nitish managed to govern
the state for almost 20 months under the grand alliance. While Nitish’s
endorsement of demonetization and support to Presidential candidate Ramnath
Kovind irked the other alliance partners, the superficial fractures failed to
dismantle the “Mahaghatbhandan”. But the internal abrasions became more
prominent after FIR was filed against Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav in
disproportionate assets case and when Nitish failed to get reasonable
explanation from Tejashwi for the corruption charges. In the meanwhile,
Congress lent vocal support to Lalu and his claims that he and his family was
subjected to political vendetta by the centre. For over a month after the
corruption charges were levelled against Tejashwi, JD (U) signaled that Yadav
should quit. But Lalu Yadav persisted that Tejashwi wouldn’t quit. Miffed
Nitish travelled to Delhi to meet Rahul and apprise him of the situation. Rahul
insisted that grand alliance should be saved from trivial rifts.
Now, Rahul Gandhi alleging that he was aware of Nitish’s
intentions 3-4 months ahead sounds incredulous since he had every opportunity
to save the grand alliance from falling apart, if he had the audacity to ask
Tejashwi to resign on corruption charges. Apparently, Congress has no moral
ground to summon someone on corruption charges, with the dynasty reeling under
mounting charges of payoffs, fraud, and corruption. Slowly, the grand old party
is becoming irrelevant with every passing day. Crumbling under the travails of
inept leadership, overpowered by adamancy to learn from mistakes, refusal to
revive cadres and besieged by opaque functioning, Congress is invariably
sinking into an abyss of political catastrophe. Endless cycle of self-goals and
bouts of intermittent political activity is ensuring its slow but steady decay.
With next general election, less than two years away,
Congress is surely on its path to degradation. Since 2014, Congress has been
consistently losing its political hold over various states. Baring Punjab,
which is its crowning glory, thanks to the commendable efforts of Captain
Amarinder Singh, Congress lost every other Assembly election. Despite a series
of electoral defeats, Congress refuses to introspect. In 2014, it lost the
position of principal opposition, and was forced to play a second fiddle. After
losing Bihar, it is proven that Congress isn’t capable of being a junior
alliance in coalition. On the other hand, by outshining rivals and through swift
political maneuvering BJP despite the numbers made rapid progress by forming
coalition governments in states like Goa and Manipur. BJP juggernaut led by
Narendra Modi and Amit Shah as of now appears omniscient, decimating the
opposition rendering them inept.
Bihar crisis could have been averted had the Grand alliance
displayed courage to uphold values. While Nitish is an opportunist politician,
incipient dynasticism of power obsessed Indian politicians has claimed yet
another scalp. Going by the current trends, the opposition combined desperate
on mauling BJP are critically short of a stratagem and commitment. Meanwhile,
as the opposition continue to blunder and castigate the central government for
sake of momentary glory, BJP’s political fortunes shine more brightly.
Meanwhile, all is not well within JD(U) as voices of dissent
within the camp becoming shriller. Though the BJP, JD (U) combine have seven
votes more than the majority, serious doubts are raised about the loyalty of
five Muslim legislators and six Yadavs. Further, Sharad Yadav didn’t attend the
oath taking ceremony of Nitish Kumar. He was in Delhi meeting Rahul Gandhi.
Indian politics has dubious reputations of defections and poaching. JD (U) MP
Ali Anwar Ansari is stoking voices of dissent. Though NDA has the numbers, it
should keep fingers crossed until tomorrow’s trust vote.
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