BJP TODAY

February 16--28, 2005 - Vol. 24, No. 4

BJP smiles as Lalu is on the run
By Amrendra Kumar

The signals emanating from the first phase of assembly election in Bihar have sent out one clear message: the people have voted to throw the ruling Lalu-Rabri government out.

According to latest information there is an undercurrent to put upside down the 15-year old Rabri-Lalu rule. This massage one could read on the faces of people who thronged in large numbers at the polling booths. Undeterred they cast their votes without fear leaving nothing to chance.

In the first phase of polling the NDA alliance is the major beneficiary. BJP- JD(U) combine has expressed satisfaction and is pinning hopes for still better performance in the next two phases.
Encouraged by the performance, the BJP general secretary Shri Arun Jaitely who is in-charge of Bihar, said, " We have done very well in the first phase and we are very well placed. The BJP is also of view that despite the improper deployment of security forces and enforcement of selective boycott by the Naxalite groups in Jehenabad and Gaya districts the voting pattern didn't provide respite to the ruling RJD."

An anti-RJD polarization of votes is visible in the first phase. A clear anti-incumbency factor emerged in Bhagalpur, Rohtas, Buxar, Bhabhua and Aurangabad where the ruling RJD is heading for major losses. In other districts too, powerful independent candidates and defectors of the party in fray are giving sleepless nights to RJD supremo Lalu Yadav.

Upset at the discouraging reports, the otherwise media savvy Lalu was unavailable to mediaperson after the first phase of polling. In fact the voting pattern suggests that Lalu's trick to make a dent in others' vote bank didn't work well. He also failed to prevent the division in his own traditional vote bank. The Muslim -Yadav votes this time got divided among three parties— RJD, LJP and Congress. One group of Muslims openly declared its resolve not to vote for RJD.

Unlike UPA, the NDA's support base has remained intact despite best efforts made by the opponents. Peoples hope for any improvement in law and order situation rests on the BJP- JD(U) combine rule.What the NDA regime under Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee did for the people of Bihar is standing in good stead to BJP-JD(U) combine. They see a better future for themselves under this alliance. That is why, it is receiving support from every section of society— Dalits, backward classes, scheduled castes and every community.

At the same time, the stunning result in the assembly elections in Bihar may even alter the present political equations at the Centre. In the campaigning, Sonia Gandhi attacked the RJD government in the state for being responsible for Bihar's present miseries. It seems that she has now realized the situation, but is not in a mood to confront it directly, as it is likely to disturb the government at Centre. Congress party's alliance with LJP and coming together of these two parties also indicates increasing bitterness in their relations with RJD.

The situation emerging at present does not augur well for both the Congress and RJD. The people of Bihar People seem determined to teach them a lesson this time.