New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers and supporters at the party headquarters in Delhi on Friday following the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) resounding victory in the Bihar Assembly elections. The NDA secured a historic win with 202 seats in the 243-seat assembly, paving the way for Nitish Kumar to become Chief Minister for a record tenth time.
In his address, Modi launched a scathing attack on the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, accusing them of promoting caste-based politics and lawlessness, which he referred to as "jungle raj". He asserted that the people of Bihar had rejected this "poison" and voted for development and progress. Modi stated that the NDA's victory signified the beginning of a new era for Bihar, with the state poised for faster development in the next five years. He promised new industries, investments, and job opportunities for the youth.
Modi emphasized that the NDA's win was not just a political victory but a triumph for democracy itself. He lauded the Election Commission and security forces for conducting peaceful polls, contrasting it with the violence and repolling that marred previous elections. He also congratulated the people for reposing faith in democracy and the Election Commission by voting in record numbers in the assembly elections.
The Prime Minister attributed the NDA's success to a new "MY formula" – Mahila (women) and Youth – which he said had replaced the old "communal M-Y" (Muslim-Yadav) formula of the RJD. He noted that women and young voters had played a decisive role in the NDA's electoral sweep, with women's voter turnout being significantly higher than men's in many districts. The Election Commission's deployment of over 1.8 lakh women volunteers, known as "Jeevika Didis," to guide other women voters also significantly improved electoral participation among women and first-time young voters.
Modi also took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's "vote theft" campaign, asserting that the election results were a victory for democracy and for people who believe in India's democratic system. He criticized the Congress for its negative politics, coining the acronym 'MMC' or 'Muslim league Maovadi Congress' to describe its agenda. He further predicted a split within the Congress ranks, cautioning its allies to be "extremely careful".
The NDA's victory was attributed to several factors, including a meticulously crafted campaign focused on stability, development, and inclusivity. The narrative of a "double-engine government" under Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar resonated powerfully with voters. The NDA also successfully resurrected fears about past lawlessness, encapsulated in the widely known "Jungle Raj" scare, contrasting it with the NDA's promise of stability and governance. The alliance's success was further amplified by broadening caste coalitions beyond traditional alignments, disrupting longstanding vote banks.
The BJP emerged as the single-largest party in the Assembly, winning 89 seats, while its ally JD(U) secured 85 seats. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) (LJP(RV)) won 19 seats, and the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) (HAM(S)) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) secured 5 and 4 seats respectively. The Mahagathbandhan, led by the RJD and Congress, suffered a severe setback. The RJD won only 25 seats, while the Congress managed to secure only 6 seats.
