- People closely following the fortunes of the Indian political scenario cannot be faulted for developing cynicism after witnessing so much in the last few decades. The uniqueness of the Indian political system is its overwhelming emphasis on the labyrinthine caste conundrum, secular versus communal narrative, quotas and reservations, and a constant lookout for one-upmanship to score a brownie point. Of course, there’s no denying the fact that family/dynastic politics is a fact that cannot be simply brushed under the carpet. Many political parties may have borrowed their existence from past luminaries and distinguished predecessors whose legacy continues with progenies leading the charge. Look not far from the Grand Old Party for easy reference.
PC : Hindustan Times News
- None of the political parties in India could be considered untouched by nepotism and dynastic politics. As such, Gen Next leaders leading the ensuing Bihar assembly contests on the back of caste and faith come as no surprise. Let’s look at some interesting facts emerging. Ahead of the 2025 assembly election, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar may find himself shaky as some of his state’s bridges have turned out to be. Nitish has some competition in the form of Dalit Union Minister Chirag Paswan wanting to be the NDA’s CM face. And he’s making no bones about it either. Understandably, there appears to be tacit support for Chirag from the BJP’s top leadership as well. Is the quintessential survivor, Nitish Kumar, finally found a match? Let’s dwelve.
PC : NDTV
- Chirag’s confidence in moving from Parliament to Patna, with plans to contest on all 243 assembly seats, is driven by the fact that LJP in 2020 likely hurt NDA in 59 seats, where it relegated JDU and allies to the third slot. Chirag’s rise from the dust of factionalism after his father Ram Vilas Paswan’s death in 2021 is in no small measure due to Modi keeping an eye out for him. It may be very early days yet. But Bihar lives election to election, with intervening five years committed to a cycle of falling bridges, poverty chatter, migrations, and surveys. When it’s poll time, it’s back to stirring the caste cauldron. Mind you, it’s the first election after the deaths of BJP face Sushil Modi and LJP’s Ram Vilas Paswan. Nitish’s health is not what it used to be, and RJD is led by Lalu’s Tejashwi.
PC : India Today
- Also, there is Jitan Ram Manji’s son to be counted. Short shrift was made of Nitish’s attempts to induct his son into politics – JDU’s future would seem uncertain. NDA made Nitish CM in 2020, but BJP is the bigger partner. In 2020 state polls, NDA won 125 seats (BJP 74, JDU 43), then UPA 110 (RJD 75, Cong 19). In Lok Sabha 2024, the BJP won 12 of Bihar’s 40 seats with a vote share 21%, the JDU 12 seats with 19%, and Chirag’s LJP (RV) all 5 seats contested with a 7% vote share. The Opposition RJD won 4 seats with 22%. Thus, it’s handover to Gen Next, who’ll be contesting against the backdrop of the 2022 caste survey, an upcoming caste census, and illegal immigrants, which will be a poll issue for the first time in Bihar. A tectonic shift in the offing? Maybe.
