New Delhi, Oct 6 (NationPress) While the Opposition is focused on underscoring governance challenges to scrutinize the NDA administration in the Bihar election campaign, Prime Minister Modi’s introduction of numerous development initiatives, alongside the declaration of a Rs 10,000 financial aid for women, has arisen as a robust and opportune counter to their critiques.

Just over two months prior to the Election Commission's announcement of the Bihar election timeline on October 6, the Opposition coalition known as Mahagathbandhan, or Grand Alliance, was considering a boycott of the elections, accusing the government of deceit and fraud concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter registry.

Nonetheless, this issue has not gained traction this time, as the coalition members are more focused on negotiating a larger allocation of seats among the state's 243 Assembly constituencies.

In a unique interview with IANS at the end of July, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav was asked about the possibility of a boycott during the Bihar elections. He affirmed, “That option is certainly on the table.”

“If the BJP intends to compete in elections based on a fraudulent list, then why not extend their governance and let them rule? What’s the significance of conducting elections if they’re manipulated? If the entire process is corrupt, then democracy loses its meaning,” he stated in a dialogue with IANS.

He also noted that this matter would be deliberated within the alliance, and they would seek public feedback. Less than a month after the interview, he joined Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the highly publicized “Voter Adhikar Yatra,” which concluded on September 1.

Shortly thereafter, the RJD’s de facto leader himself initiated a “Bihar Adhikar Yatra” targeting districts where his party expects to strengthen its position. Some associates on the ground suggested that there was a sentiment that allegations regarding SIR were primarily a Congress issue, and the “Voter Adhikar Yatra” offered more visibility to Rahul Gandhi.

While Tejashwi was the prominent face of Mahagathbandhan, the “Yatra” against SIR was perceived as a platform for showcasing the Congress leader, according to their reports.

Many allies within Mahagathbandhan deem the SIR issue as less critical compared to allegations of corruption or misgovernance against the Nitish Kumar administration.

Interestingly, Prashant Kishor, a political consultant turned politician, has been vocally critiquing the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and its constituents in Bihar regarding corruption and governance. He has embarked on various campaigns across the state, positioning himself and his Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) as champions against corruption.

JSP’s initiatives included publicly naming specific leaders and disclosing documents and allegations related to procurement, land transactions, and appointments. Such outreach efforts seem to have provided him an advantage, with early electoral surveys indicating his potential influence in numerous regions of Bihar, particularly in the southern areas.

Numerous Opposition figures feel compelled to yield this territory to the new player. Consequently, Tejashwi’s independent ventures into constituencies deemed promising for his party were perceived as attempts to gauge public sentiment while establishing himself as a serious candidate for Chief Minister, as suggested by some of his supporters.

Meanwhile, the Left constituents in Mahagathbandhan, although part of the “Voter Adhikar Yatra,” have been critical of the Congress’s performance in the 2020 Assembly elections. They highlight that though India’s Grand Old Party was allocated 70 seats by the Opposition coalition, they only secured 19.

Conversely, after extensive negotiations, the top three Left parties collectively received 29 seats, managing to win 16. This time, the communist coalition has claimed a larger share, asserting their rights to multiple seats from the Congress allocation.

For Rahul Gandhi, it appears that his party’s strategy to gain an advantage over the ruling coalition, with accusations of collusion with the election authority, has lost momentum. Some pre-election surveys indicate a tight race between the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan, predominantly highlighting anti-incumbency, unemployment, and governance issues. The voter registry controversy is acknowledged as a significant matter but tends to be overshadowed by other concerns.