While the NDA has registered a resounding victory in the Bihar Assembly elections, the JD(U)’s performance has been singular. Reduced to just 43 seats in the 2020 polls as compared to the ally BJP’s 74, the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led party has this time nearly doubled its tally with 85 seats, coming close to the BJP’s 89. In an interview with The Indian Express, the JD(U)’s national working president Sanjay Jha speaks on his party’s strong show and Nitish’s role in the NDA’s win, among other issues. Excerpts:
The credibility of the leader is very important. The work that Nitish Kumar ji did in the past 20 years… delivering governance, progress and safety… that delivery is visible on the ground. So when he made promises, people believed they would be delivered.
This mandate also shows that Bihar has surpassed caste politics. A lot of votes have been cast on issues such as development, progress and future of Bihar. Women as a constituency have voted for us, blunting caste and religion. This is good for the state.
But this kind of mandate also entails a lot of expectations. So it is going to be quite a challenge. Whatever we have promised in our manifesto, we have to deliver in the next five years.
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* What, in your view, are three key reasons that led to this victory?
One, Nitish Kumar’s 20-year performance has created a pro-incumbency atmosphere in Bihar. On so many parameters the government has done stupendous work. It is not that people only remember the 2005-2010 period. A lot of work has been done on the ground between 2020 and 2025.
Second is the double-engine government. For Biharis, this is a dream combination, having Modi as the PM and Nitish Kumar as the CM. People thought this is Bihar’s moment. Both the 2024 and 2025 Union Budgets had significant allocations for Bihar. The PM was in Bihar almost every month in the past couple of years, launching or announcing some project. This played a role.
Third is hope – for the next five years. In 1991-92, when the Indian economy opened, several states benefited from it. Foreign investments came, IT companies came up. But the regime that came to power in Bihar that time, set up the kidnapping industry. So, Bihar missed the opportunity. When Nitish Kumar came in 2005, it took him 15 years to just set things right in the state. Bihar is now in a take-off stage. Now Biharis are asking why should we lag behind other developed states, in terms of industrialisation, creation of jobs. People believe that we are best placed to deliver on that now.
* JD(U) has nearly doubled its tally. How did you achieve this turnaround?
The credit for this goes to Nitish Kumar. This party was formed in 1994 against the misrule of the RJD. It was erected with the blood and sweat of Nitish Kumar. All socialist parties became dynastic. Only Nitish Kumar did not promote family. Or else, I wouldn’t have been here. Also, our party workers have worked very hard.
The 2020 results had left a bad taste in the mouth. It had remained in Nitish Kumar’s heart as to how the party could perform so poorly when the government had performed so well. So we focused on the seats we had lost last time and there was significant mobilisation by party workers for the past one year. Our ticket distribution was also better this time, with winnability being the only factor.
Also, the entire NDA was intact this time. That played a big role. This is the first election I have seen where everything was intact and compact… Be it seats or campaigns. And we started early. All constituent party presidents travelled to all 243 constituencies together and held NDA meetings. This had never happened earlier in Bihar. Sometimes leaders would come together, but not the workers. But this time the coordination was smooth till the ground level.
* But there are questions on Nitish’s health?
Nitish Kumar did 73 rallies during the elections. When it started raining in between and helicopters couldn’t fly, he did over 20 public meetings in various districts by road traversing more than 600 km. This is a 74-year-old leader. Those who claim to be young and wanted to be CM, were sitting at home and putting out social media posts. I think that says it all.
* The Opposition has attributed their loss to ‘vote chori’. How do you respond to it?
This is shamelessness. Entire national media was on the ground during the elections. Ask them what was public feedback on the ground. Who was voting for the Congress? Congress did a yatra on vote chori and SIR. We did not find a single complaint from the people during the elections that their vote was not there. You (Congress) are spreading such lies. And you drowned all of RJD’s issues under it. And then you did not even follow up on your yatra. It just disappeared from electoral discourse. It is because you had nothing in your shop.
* RJD tried to expand its base by including Mallahs and Taantis, but it has not had an impact. Why do you think EBCs continue to back Nitish?
EBCs will never leave Nitish Kumar. His support base can never shift to the RJD. The kind of politics they play will never be accepted by the civil society. People still have the memory of those times. So, no matter what they do, they will not get the support.
Also, we have delivered (for the poor). The voter knows where he is getting free ration from, who is working for him. The poor are more honest in these matters. If you bring about a change in the life of a poor man, he never betrays you.
* The Opposition has also made the allegation that you have won the polls by transferring Rs 10,000 to the accounts of women ahead of the polls. These are being called “bribes”.
This is demeaning Bihar’s women. Empowerment of women is not a new phenomenon in Bihar. It has been happening for the past 20 years. Self help or Jeevika groups were constituted 15 years ago. They are a part of Bihar’s development story.
And the money given to the women is not a freebie. This money has been given for enterprise. So many women have bought sewing machines, set up shops, bought a goat or pooled in more money and bought a cow.
* What would you attribute the LJP(RV)’s remarkable performance to – Chirag’s charisma or NDA’s appeal?
This is a result of the NDA fighting as an intact unit. And it includes Chirag Paswan. Otherwise, crossing the 200 mark would not have been possible. So all alliance partners have contributed.
* How do you think this victory will impact the NDA’s internal dynamics in Bihar?
Dynamics will remain the same. We are working together and have perfect coordination. The larger purpose is after this kind of mandate, we have to deliver. The Centre-state relations, too, are very good.
* Even without you, the BJP can now form the government with other allies. Will Nitish continue to be the CM for the next five years?
I cannot comment on such speculations at this time. Things will be clear when the time comes. Internally, there is no confusion within the NDA.
* What will be the new government’s priorities? Migration seemed to be an issue in the polls.
The next five years are for the youth. We have promised one crore jobs and employment. Priority is to get investment and industry in Bihar. Second priority is skilling. Bihar has the highest youth population in the country. We couldn’t do industrialisation or bring in investments earlier because things were not ready. Now, we have support from the Centre as well. You will now see industrial activity in every district of Bihar.