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The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) kicked off its campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections with a significant rally in Bihar, emphasising unity among its coalition partners. More significantly, the event marked the NDA’s first major public gathering in the state since the announcement of the general election dates. Chief Minister and Janata Dal United (JD-U) national president Nitish Kumar‘s presence was pivotal, earning praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his exemplary governance and untarnished reputation.
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PM Modi’s Pre-Election Gestures
PM Modi also extended warm sentiments to Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Chirag Paswan and Arun Bharti, the candidate from Jamui constituency, referring to them as his brothers. Notably, Jamui is scheduled for polls on April 19, marking the onset of the general elections. Alongside Jamui, three other constituencies—Aurangabad, Nawada, and Gaya—will also cast their votes in the first phase. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is fielding candidates in the first two, while former Chief Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha Secular leader Jitan Ram Manjhi represents the NDA in Gaya.
Also Read | PM Modi calls Chirag Paswan ‘little brother’ at Jamui rally
Bihar Campaign Intensifies
In Bihar, PM Modi is scheduled to address 16 rallies, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s itinerary includes 23 rallies. This contrasts with their participation in 2019, when Modi addressed 11 rallies and Shah attended 18 public meetings. During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA secured victory in 39 out of Bihar’s 40 Lok Sabha seats.
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Nitish Acknowledges Alliance Shift
Nitish, reflecting on the decision to break the alliance with RJD and join the NDA, candidly admitted, “We had sided with liars, but when we saw the troubles emerging, we separated.” Pointing towards PM Modi, he emphasised the enduring unity, stating, “now we are united forever.”
He commended PM Modi’s decade-long tenure at the Centre, highlighting the significant developmental strides made in Bihar under his leadership, particularly in infrastructure projects such as road and bridge construction.
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Bihar CM’s Bid for Votes
Nitish has launched a strategic campaign aimed at penetrating Lalu Prasad‘s dominant Muslim-Yadav (MY) vote stronghold. Kumar’s strategy revolves around promoting the narrative of communal harmony fostered under the NDA administration since 2005. By highlighting the decrease in Hindu-Muslim conflicts following the NDA’s rise to power, the JD (U) chief encourages the Muslim community to recognise this significant transformation. He asserts that as long as the NDA remains in governance, discord will be effectively mitigated. However, he also issues a caution against straying from the alliance, warning of the potential resurgence of tensions if other parties gain electoral momentum.
Nitish’s Tactical Approach
Nitish adopted a firm stance, skillfully sidestepping direct reference to the Lalu-Rabri government. By evoking memories of fear and uncertainty during their 15-year reign, he reminded the audience of the apprehension that once gripped the state, highlighting people’s reluctance to venture out after dark. This contrasted sharply with the progress witnessed under his leadership.
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Modi’s Role in NDA’s Electoral Strategy
According to political analysts, while Modi’s charisma may remain undiminished, his coalition partner Nitish has suffered a significant blow to both his image and governance, largely due to his frequent policy reversals in recent years. The widespread dislike towards the JD (U) leader, stemming from his inconsistent stance, has rendered him ineffective as a crowd-puller or a leader capable of securing votes and transferring them to his alliance counterparts. Modi, therefore, bears the responsibility of ensuring the transfer of BJP’s votes to its allies, aiming to replicate the NDA’s performance in the 2019 polls.
NDA Unity Restored Amid Tensions
Following the intervention of senior BJP leaders, the NDA has attained a state of unity at present. Previously, noticeable tension existed between Nitish and Chirag. Adding to the concerns for the BJP leadership were former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha and former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, who had also experienced strained relations with the Bihar chief minister in recent years. Recognising the urgency to address these issues before they potentially impact the BJP-NDA’s performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, senior BJP leaders have taken the initiative to intervene. In order to ensure cohesive collaboration among all NDA partners in Bihar and mitigate any discord before and during the elections, the BJP leadership convened a meeting of all NDA partners to resolve intra-party conflicts among alliance partners.
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NDA’s Coordinated Voting Strategy
Reports suggest that the BJP has unequivocally communicated to its party workers and cadre the imperative of unified effort and ensuring seamless transfer of votes during polling. Similarly, all parties within the NDA alliance have conveyed similar directives to their respective workers in no uncertain terms. With the NDA’s ambitious target of exceeding 400 seats in the Lok Sabha, this coordinated strategy signifies a deliberate and calculated effort to tackle ongoing obstacles effectively.
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