Bihar Politics: The politics of Bihar is once again taking a turn, but this time the wave of Narendra Modi, Nitish Kumar’s maneuver or Lalu Yadav’s legacy, is not in the headlines but the Congress’s changed dialect and changed thinking. The Congress, once the most powerful party in the country, had left behind in Bihar politics for a long time. But now there is something new in the air. The voices arising from the stage, the meetings on the ground and the tone of the changing statements are showing that the Congress is on the path of return or perhaps the illusion of returning. In the tongue of party leaders, the demand for sharp social justice is now being heard instead of soft secularism. The Congress is not a sudden inclination towards the Dalit-backward, Muslim and youth, it is a part of a well-planned social engineering.
What has changed in Congress strategy?
The party is now not only talking about secularism and development in Bihar, but has started raising issues like caste census, economic inequality and social share vigorously. From state presidents to district level workers, the lesson of targeted ethnic and class -based politics is being taught. The purpose of Rahul Gandhi’s visits, Priyanka Gandhi’s speeches and interaction with Tejashwi Yadav is clear: cutting BJP’s Hindutva politics with a new nectar of social justice.
Is BJP worried about this?
The BJP is silent, but is worried. His political grip may be strong, but this new trick of the Congress can make a dent in the old vote bank, especially in urban Muslims, youth and poor backward sections. The BJP has so far taken the elections from nationalism and temple agenda, but this card cannot be used repeatedly in front of the new social equation of the Congress, especially when the opposition is speaking in a tone on issues like caste calculation and stake.
Reality or confusion?
However, the question is also whether this changed language of the Congress will be able to enter the hearts of the public? In the last decade, the voters of Bihar have rapidly matched politically. They need faith, not only promises. Does the Congress have such a face that can assure the voters of Bihar? Will this strategy be converted into votes on the ground, or will it only be limited to Twitter and press release?
This political ‘Rebranding’ of the Congress is interesting, it is not just an attempt to overcome defeat, but is an open announcement to challenge the BJP’s Narrator. The question is now whether the people of Bihar will give a chance to the Congress of this new form, or will this change also become a market marketing?
