The Narendra Modi led BJP was defeated by Nitish Kumar’s JDU led ‘Mahagathbandhan’ in Bihar elections. The coalition of secular parties in Bihar won 178 seats in the 243 members’ state assembly, while the BJP was reduced to 53 seats. The data from the Election Commission of India also shows that the JDU led alliance is far ahead of the BJP in terms of vote share. Experts and analysts have said that this might be a red signal to the central government ruled by BJP led National Democratic Alliance. The opposition in the parliament will be stronger now during the upcoming winter session where the Prime Minister plans to move important bills for the economic reforms.
Mr. Modi was regarded as India’s most popular leader with powerful majority in the Lok Sabha after 2014 general elections in the country. The Bihar results have national impact as it showed the importance of united opposition. The experts have said the Mr. Modi has lost his political capital in the Bihar elections and this will affect his ability to take decisions.
Modi’s cabinet minister Prakash Javadekar denied all such claims and said,” Each state election is not a referendum on Modi.” The state elections in India normally do not reflect the national consensus but people are questioning Modi’s leadership as he personally led the campaign in Bihar. The well-known BJP leaders from Bihar were missing in the campaign.
Janata Dal (United)’s Pavan Varma said that the Modi government is being perceived as pro rich and anti-poor. The government doesn’t care for the oppressed communities in the country, he further added.
