Modi’s Magnetism vs Tejashwi’s Promise: The Battle for Bihar’s Soul

Today, November 6, marks a defining day for Bihar as 121 constituencies go to the polls in the first phase of Assembly elections. This election isn’t just a political contest — it’s another chapter in Bihar’s long struggle to reclaim its lost glory.

Once the cradle of Indian civilisation and home to ancient universities like Nalanda and Vikramashila, Bihar was the birthplace of Buddhism and Jainism.

It was a centre of knowledge and culture long before the modern world took shape. Yet, under British rule, it was reduced to a resource colony, exploited and impoverished. What was once a land of scholars became a zone of extraction.

As part of the Bengal Presidency, Bihar’s underdevelopment was not a historical accident but a deliberate colonial design. The British viewed the state purely as a revenue-generating unit, extracting its wealth through the zamindari system that funnelled profits to Calcutta and then London.

Traditional industries and crafts were destroyed by imported British goods, leaving local weavers and artisans destitute. The wealth produced in Bihar built fortunes elsewhere — not roads, schools, or hospitals at home.

The Post-Independence Paralysis

Sadly, Independence did not break this pattern. Post-1947 policies continued the colonial mindset. Bihar remained a supplier of raw materials and labour, rather than an empowered state with its own industrial base.

Development was stunted by corruption, caste politics, and administrative apathy. Gun culture, booth capturing, and Maoist insurgency filled the vacuum of governance, pushing Bihar into the infamous BIMARU category of backward states.

Over the past 25 years, Nitish Kumar’s tenure, with his periodic alliances and breakups with the BJP, brought some improvement — especially in infrastructure and women’s empowerment — but expectations remain unmet. The core issues of unemployment, migration, poor education, and health services still dominate the lives of ordinary Biharis.

A Battle of Visions

This election is being fought on those very issues. The NDA and the Mahagathbandhan (MGB) are locked in a fierce contest, each promising transformation. The outcome will shape not just Bihar’s future but also influence national politics.

In 2020, the MGB won 63 of these 121 seats, while the NDA (BJP + JD(U)) secured 55. The region remains a stronghold of the RJD-led alliance, but the momentum on the ground seems more fragmented this time.

Two figures dominate this campaign — Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tejashwi Yadav. Congress’s Rahul Gandhi, though visible, has failed to galvanise voters or even his allies. His brief appearances — including the much-publicised pond swim with fishermen — generated social media buzz but not much political traction.

Tejaswi, after a long absence from the campaign trail, returned with an ambitious promise: one government job per household, translating to 1.3 crore jobs in five years. The slogan resonated with some sections of youth but many doubt its feasibility. His earlier rhetoric about “vote theft” and bureaucratic bias failed to energise voters, pushing him to recalibrate his strategy.

Modi’s Connect and the Women Factor

Prime Minister Modi, on the other hand, continues to be the NDA’s biggest asset. His roadshow in Patna drew massive crowds, especially women — a demographic that could tilt the scales.

Schemes like the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana, which has credited Rs10,000 each to 75 lakh women as seed capital for self-help ventures, are resonating strongly. The MGB’s criticism of such welfare measures as “vote-buying” hasn’t found much traction; for many women, it represents real empowerment.

Adding another dimension is Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party (JSP). While not yet a mass force, Kishor’s critique of corruption and poor governance appeals to urban and educated voters. His presence is splitting the anti-incumbency space, especially in central Bihar.

The High-Stakes Contests

The first phase features several heavyweight battles that could shape the overall trend.

Tejashwi Yadav, contesting from Raghopur, faces Satish Kumar (BJP) and Chanchal Kumar (JSP). Raghopur has been a family bastion since 1995, and losing it would be a major blow to the RJD.

His estranged brother Tej Pratap Yadav, expelled from the RJD, is contesting from Mahua against RJD’s Mukesh Kumar Raushan and LJP’s Sanjay Singh. His personal controversies, including allegations of a 12-year extramarital affair, have shadowed his campaign.

Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary (BJP) is contesting from Tarapur (Munger) against RJD’s Arun Shah. The constituency’s caste arithmetic — dominated by Yadavs, upper castes, and Kushwahas — makes it one of the most finely balanced seats.

In Darbhanga’s Alinagar, folk singer Maithili Thakur makes her political debut for the BJP, promising to make Mithila the cultural capital of Bihar. She faces RJD’s Binod Mishra and JSP’s Biplaw Kumar Chowdhary.

BJP veteran Vijay Kumar Sinha, former Speaker and RSS worker, seeks a sixth term from Lakhisarai against JSP’s Suraj Kumar.

In Arrah, BJP’s Sanjay Singh “Tiger” is up against JSP’s Vijay Kumar Gupta and CPI(ML)’s Quyamuddin Ansari — a seat that has alternated between BJP and RJD for over a decade.

The urban seat of Patna Sahib presents a generational shift: BJP has replaced veteran Nand Kishore Yadav with Ratnesh Kushwaha (45), while Congress fields Shashant Shekhar (35). Though traditionally a BJP stronghold, early trends suggest a tighter contest this time.

Reading the Ground Pulse

What distinguishes this election is the absence of a single-wave narrative. Bihar’s electorate is evaluating a mix of welfare delivery, job creation, and leadership credibility. Nitish Kumar’s governance model remains a subject of debate — steady but uninspiring for many, yet preferable to the instability of past regimes.

The youth, particularly first-time voters, are restless but not easily swayed by rhetoric. Economic migration continues to haunt families, with millions of Biharis working in other states. The question they’re asking is simple: When will Bihar create jobs of its own?

Meanwhile, caste dynamics — historically the backbone of Bihar’s politics — are being tested by new identity groupings. Women, small entrepreneurs, and self-help groups now represent a growing constituency cutting across traditional lines.

Pre-poll surveys offer varying projections but all indicate a close race:

Matrize–IANS: NDA 153–164 | MGB 76–87

Chanakya Strategies: NDA 128–134 | MGB 102–108

Polstrat& People’s Insight: NDA 133–143 | MGB 93–102

While the NDA appears marginally ahead, much depends on turnout and regional micro-swings. Bihar’s political history is full of last-minute shifts.

Beyond the Ballot

Bihar’s story has always mirrored India’s larger journey — from exploitation to empowerment, from despair to hope. Yet the legacy of underdevelopment still lingers like an old wound. For a state that once lit the lamp of knowledge for the world, this election is another chance to reclaim its identity and promise.

The stakes are far higher than who wins or loses. Bihar’s verdict on November 6 will not just decide who governs the state — it will reflect whether its people still believe in change through the ballot, and whether the dream of resurgence can rise again from the dust of history.

(The author is a former Chief Editor at The Hans India)