And now we are going on a wonderful time-trip. We are going to the thrilling world of politics in the Bihar state in India. The Bihar story is a fantastic example of a melodramatic play. It does not just elect someone to be its winner. They have revolutionary ideas, outstanding leaders, and pivotal moments.
Think of Bihar election history as a giant puzzle. Every election is a fragment of such puzzle. There are so large and significant pieces that alter the entire picture. It is what we will hear to-day. So, get comfortable! We are now going to plunge into the 5 big moments that transformed politics in Bihar forever. These incidents left their mark on India as a whole and affected the state's future.
A Quick Look at Bihar's Political Map
First, we should know the simpler anatomy before we start the time travel. Until recently there were two major national parties in the Indian politics: the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
- But Bihar has ever done its own time. It formed its own powerful local parties. The most important ones are:
- Janata Dal (United) - JD(U): This party, commonly referred to as the JD(U), is the decades-old giant in the Bihar politics.
- Rashtriya Janata dal -RJD: This party has its roots in a strong social justice movement.
These groups' alliances and election wars with the Congress and BJP foretell the thrilling electoral history of Bihar. Now we're going to consider those 5 moments that characterized this story.
Moment 1: The Congress Wall Cracked During the 1967 Rebellion.
The first two decades after the independence of India in 1947 saw one party as a giant. The Indian National Congress was almost winning all elections. It seemed unbeatable. This held in Bihar and in India.
But below the surface things were becoming annoyed. Workers, farmers, and students desired reform. They felt left out. This was a colossal turning point in the Bihar political history in the year 1967.
How a United Opposition Made History
Many smaller parties, never before in any cases, resolved to cease fighting one another. They banded together to fight the huge Congress party. This coalition was referred to as the Samyukta Vidhayak Dal (SVD).
The outcomes were such as a tsunami! The wall of power of Congress party has finally broken. It did not get a majority. The SVD alliance formed a government without the Congress that took power in Bihar.
Why was this such a big moment?
- An Alliance Formula Was Born: This was among the earliest success experiments of a multi-party coalition government in Bihar. It demonstrated that a team took over a strong single party.
- Voice for the People: It was a resounding message of the voters. They wanted something new.
This was a lesson to the politicians; the most important lesson they had to learn is that the listening part is the most important part of power.
Moment 2: The 1977 Wave: Voting Against Fear
It had to wait another decade, in 1977, to get the next big moment. In order to know this, we must know what was going on in India. The country went through a period known as "The Emergency" from 1975 to 1977. Basic rights were set aside. Arrests were arbitrary. The epoch was a very dark one to democracy. Finally, elections were declared in 1977. This election was not about policies only. It was a vote to salvage democracy.
A Historic Mandate for Democracy
The outrage over the Congress party that had declared the Emergency was enormous. The opposition parties united like in 1967. They organized a new party- Janata Party.
Bihar, and the entire India, voted overwhelmingly against the Congress. The Janata Party overcame a huge victory. It was the first instance when a non-Congress government could be elected to power at the national level and in such states as Bihar.
Why was This such a big moment?
- A National Lesson: It demonstrated to all political leaders that there is no one that is bigger than democracy. The real bosses are the people.
- Rise of New Leaders: It was a time when they saw many new leaders coming to the limelight in the state of Bihar who would emerge as crucial figures in the future.
This is a proud period in Bihar's political history. It serves as a reminder that our vote is our most powerful tool for defending our rights.
Read more:- Bihar Women Voters: Priorities And Concerns This Election
Moment 3: 1990s Mandal Quake: The Social Justice Revolution.
I will say this was the most transformative moment in the politics of Bihar should I have to choose it. Early 1990s was a period of massive change in the society. The Mandal Commission report was decided by the central government to be implemented.
According to this report, other backward classes (OBCs) were to be given preference for government jobs. OBCs are a mass of long-standing socially and economically disadvantaged people. This ruling rocked the nation. It was mostly effective in such states as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Lalu Prasad Yadav and the Rise of Social Justice
A young and aggressive leader, Lalu Prasad Yadav, in the state of Bihar realised the strength of this moment. His party, which is, the Janata Dal, was a party that highly favored this social justice move.
Lalu Prasad Yadav emerged as the leader of the OBCs, who were the largest in Bihar yet they had never taken a political office. He was able to relate well with people and had potent slogans.
The 1990-election and the subsequent election were swept by the party of Lalu Prasad. He was made the Chief Minister and a new political era in Bihar began.
Why was this such a big moment?
- Identity Politics: Politics began being contested on caste identity and social justice basis. This transformed the politics language.
- The RJD is Formed: Lalu Prasad Yadav brought an independent party the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) to become one of the most powerful in Bihar.
This period was the new politics of Bihar in the next three decades. The issue of social justice and caste-based mobilizing emerged as the major discourse of any election.
Moment 4: The 2005 Split: Good Governance Takes Center Stage
The tenure of Lalu Prasad Yadav was 15 years. As much as he was being applauded because he was empowering the backward classes, others began to criticize his government. At the beginning of the 21 st century, the people were discussing two huge issues:
- Law and Order: They said crime was on the increase.
- Development: They believed that the state was not developing at a pace as compared to others.
This generated a need to change. Good governance and vikas (development) were desired by people.
The 2004 JD(U)-BJP Alliance and the Ascendancy of Nitish Kumar.
Nitish Kumar, another leader of the same social justice movement began to pay attention to these problems. He gave the promise of restoring law and order and development to Bihar. He had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but was allied with his party, the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U).
The election in February 2005 left the assembly hanging- no party received an outright majority. However, only a matter of months later in November 2005, new elections were held. This time the alliance headed by Nitish Kumar gave a clear cut victory. This marked the expiry of the 15 year RJD rule.
Why was this such a big moment?
A New Leader: Nitish Kumar emerged as the new leader of Bihar, with his priorities in creating roads, enhancing law and order and empowering women.
- The NDA Alliance was strengthened: The alliance between JD(U) and BJP, the so-called National Democratic Alliance (NDA), became the new winning formula in Bihar.
- This was the time to realise that social identity matters but they also desire a government that serves them and that enhances their livelihood.
Moment 5: The 2015 Mahagathbandhan: The Grand Alliance Shocks The Nation
Bihar is known to be politically shocking. The state came up with another rule right upon a time when everyone had got used to the rules. JD(U) led by Nitish Kumar and the BJP long time allies by 2015. But they broke apart in 2013. In the election year 2015, everyone anticipated a giant battle between JD(U) led by Nitish Kumar and RJD led by Lalu Prasad against the BJP. But something marvellous happened.
When Enemies Became Friends?
The two biggest rivals in Bihar's politics—Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav—did the unthinkable. They chose to unite, and become acquainted! The Indian national congress was also included. This massive alliance was termed as Mahagathbandhan meaning The Grand Alliance. They set out to defeat the BJP as one.
Nobody knew whether it was going to work. This new alliance would their voters, who had been on opposite ends over years, support? The response was YES. Mahagathbandhan massively defeated the 2015 assembly polls.
Why was this such a big moment?
- Masterstroke of Strategy: This was the supreme model of political strategy. It demonstrated that in politics there are no enemies, only interests.
- A New Winning Formula: It established that a coalition of regional parties with strengths was capable of facing a strong national party such as the BJP and defeat it.
- The Wisdom of the Voters: The Bihar voters laid aside their old-time antagonism and joined the alliance, which they trusted. It showed their maturity.
This is one of the most important elections to know the story of politics in Bihar. It highlights to us that in a democratic society, the voters have a habit of surprising you!
Conclusion: The Never-Ending Story
The history of Bihar election is a giant river. It continues streaming and reversing. It is full of twists and turns. Those big waterfalls and bends along that river are the big moments that have changed politics that we discussed.
They demonstrate how Bihar people have made their destinies. Since the violation of the one-party rule in 1967 to the vote in favor of democracy in 1977 and the demand of social justice in the 1990s to desire development in 2005, to then make a great surprise in 2015, the voters of Bihar are then the true heroes of the story.
