Bihar Elections 2010: A view from sideline

A history has been created with a massive win by the NDA Alliance in Bihar in the current state assembly Elections 2010. Getting a more than Three-Fourth majority was not an easy task though everyone was expecting NDA to come to the power for the second term, BUT with this scale, probably even Its party leaders too would not have estimated. It has witnessed a second largest landslide victory in the history of Indian democracy after 1984 National Elections where Rajeev Gandhi had a remarkable win due to absence of any formidable opposition. The results in itself shows the maturity of the Bihar Voters who has come out of caste-creed politics which was prevailed for almost 3 decades in Bihar. The people of Bihar has voted for development and with this win their expectations has gone much much higher than It was 5 years ago when Nitish Kumar Came to the power for the first time.

There were certain fascinating statistics as far as this election is concerned. For the first time in Bihar election history, Women had come out in large numbers to cast their votes in this election. Not only that they (52%) have left men (50%) behind in percentage term for the number of votes casted. It is a very good sign for the future of Bihar where women are getting their voice. It will help towards women empowerment and self development in the state in coming time. There has been many scheme and initiatives for women on the ground and It has replicated into votes in the favor of Nitish Kumar. Not only state has witnessed a second best growth rate of over 11% after Gujrat in last 5 years of Nitish period but also it has also witnessed the highest number of girls child enrollment in the history of Bihar at schools. Be It Free school dress to all the children getting the enrollment, Mid-day meal or free bicycle for all the boys and girls enrolling in class 8^th onwards. It has also added a huge number of classrooms and schools for better education and living for the children of Bihar. All these have motivated people in general to send their kids to school. All this has provided the people of Bihar a hope that this progress and good work can be retained and given a second change even this can be made better.

Lets recall about some of the facts on which the Nitish and company has fought this election. There was a issue of Caste vs Development before the elections but I am afraid how can you fight an election on this basis where these two should not be even compared. RJD & LJP alliance fell in trap of brand “Nitish” and his development work done during last 5 years. Do not forget, Bihar had witnessed a lawlessness state of situation for 15 years and things were never easy for Nitish Kumar. Having said that the commitment shown by the chief Minister is of immense appreciation. In last 5 years, Bihar has seen as many as 1500 bridges along with hundreds of kilometers of roads being build (literally build as there were hardly any road left in most part of the state). Also we must not forget the efforts and initiatives to bring law and order in place. This is something Bihar will cherish for a long time.

With this kind of mandate, the path ahead will not be easy either. The expectation and hope from the people of state is immense and It will require ever greater effort and commitment to come to the terms in next 5 years. We have witnessed the development in certain areas but still there is a lot left to do in the state. Three major challenges that Nitish Government has to tackle is corruption, Power and Investment in different sectors including industry, education and healthcare. But with the kind of commitment and track record, It may seem extreme difficult but It will not leave any stone unturned to reach there. What he has done was like an impossible task when he resumed office in 2005 so we hope that Bihar again will have a bright future with the brand Nitish Kumar.