The above title of this blog is inspired by the editorial by Sanjay Baru in Business Standard dated 15th Nov 2010. I have been a great fan of his writing since I have read his debut book “Strategic Consequences of India's Economic Performance” last year. He is very clinical in the article that he has written in the newspaper. I am going to put my views on the same topic.
As I have mentioned in my previous blog that It is highly likely that Nitish Kumar should return to power with 2nd term on 24th of this month. If it happens so, It will be just the 3rd occasion that Bihar people will be electing any Government for the second term after Sri Krishna singh in 1952 and Sri Laloo Prasad Yadav in 1995.However, We must underline the fact that times has been different at all these three era of politics. Probably the factors working in favor of Laloo at some point of time has been completely evaporated and his caste-creed politics has taken a back sheet in the current Assembly Elections. However, on the basis of this, you can not simply write-off Mr. Laloo until the evening of 24th when we have the results out.
Taking about the progress Bihar has made in last 5 years, One must acknowledge that It was never easy to even start with. Not only Mr. Kumar has achieved a phenomenal growth rate of more than 11%, only 2nd to Gujrat during the same period but also the law an order along with the governance has taken a positive move. There has been huge infrastructure work during the last 5 years with a total of 60,000 Crores being spent on many programs by the state government. To put some numbers, there was addition of few hundreds of kilometers of road and as many as 1500 bridges during last 5 years. In addition to this, Bihar has got many flyovers in different town that was a distant dream till few years back. So, Bihar is making a progress BUT the question is whether the rate is adequate? The second term for Nitish Kumar will provide another opportunity to clean up rest of the issues and improve upon many of the things that is still to be resolved including, public transport, bureaucracy, health care and most importantly higher education and industry as a whole.
There are 9 million people in Bihar, that is almost 9% of total population of the country. If Mr. Kumar is able to lift the state of living of these many people, It will also help the country as a whole. Do not forget, the determination with which he has completed his last 5 years, and He must be ready to take up the challenges ahead so that He can make Bihar a better place and a better name on the Indian map. Last few months since the elections has been kicked off, I have noticed that media too is taking these elections very closely, covering many minute details of the elections and having special programs dedicated to Bihar elections. Indeed, This would be trendsetter elections for the coming years where the people of Bihar will decide which is more important to them, Development or caste? This has been a vital question for everyone in the recent past.
As the time for 24th of Nov is inching closer, anxiety is getting build up regarding the results but having said that, I must underline the fact that whosoever comes to the power (I still strongly believe that Nitish Kumar should get a second term for sure), It will be a different kind of governance and political outlook in Bihar going forward. Looking forward towards the final verdict with a lot of hope and optimism in heart and mind form the next government. Its never too late to start a fresh for new Bihar so Lets begin one again from stretch.
Regards-
Nandlal
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