Intolerance among key factors for BJP’s defeat in Bihar, say political leaders

In a statement issued later, the CPI (M) congratulated people of Bihar for giving a “resounding” defeat to BJP alliance by rejecting the rank communal campaign conducted by the BJP, led by the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo with “divisive” issues like cow and beef and the bogey of reservations for minorities.

The issue of intolerance dominated the national debate during the five-phase elections in Bihar with a large number of artists, writers and others returning their awards to protest against what they called an “atmosphere of rising intolerance” in the country. The Congress, which fought elections as part of the Grand Alliance, also could manage a vote share of only about 6.7 per cent.

However, his cabinet colleague Prakash Javadekar maintained that the fight remained close and claimed the pattern of voting was different this time with members of same family seeming to have voted for different political parties.

“The economic package for Bihar is a commitment given by the Prime Minister which will be fulfilled by the Centre at all cost”, he said here. Give us a few time. Each election was seen as a reflection of Modi’s charisma, with the prime minister personally leading each of the electoral campaigns. The counting for the 243 seats of the assembly will begin at 8 AM and the verdict for a majority of seats is expected by the early afternoon. “Kerela politics is changing forever and BJP will become an important factor”, he said. If elections are held in Maharashtra now, same results will come as happened in Bihar.

Trends of the 58 seats available on the Election Commission website showed BJP ahead in 20, RJD leading in 18 seats each, Janta Dal United in 10, Congress in 4 and Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustan Awam Morcha in two. Over a dozen FIRs were lodged by the poll authorities in Bihar against the top leaders of the two alliances relating to their alleged hate speeches. He has done good work in Bihar. Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM failed to make any impact in its maiden Bihar elections, with just 0.2 per cent, or about 80,000 votes. Leaders from all over the country have congratulated us.