‘Coalition needed to cater to large social base’: Bhupender Yadav

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Bihar in-charge, Bhupender Yadav, spoke to Smriti Kak Ramachandran about the assembly election results in the state, the choice of Nitish Kumar as NDA’s chief ministerial candidate and reports of rumblings between the allies. Edited excerpts:

Edited excerpts:

Are the Bihar results as per your expectations?

Ultimately we have won the elections, and have been able to get the support and blessings of the people. It’s a matter of great satisfaction for us that we have been in power for the last 15 years, and people still have faith in the NDA, and confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bihar government to fulfil their aspirations.

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You went to the polls with Nitish Kumar as the face of the elections. Looking at the results, do you think the BJP would have done well to go alone?

No. There is a social equation at play in Bihar. Along with the alliance partners, the JD(U), the HAM(S) and the VIP, we had a formidable social base. It was necessary to be part of a coalition that catered to this larger social base. The results are as per our expectations, so we are satisfied with our alliance.

There is a section in the party that feels that a BJP leader should be in the CM’s seat.

The central leadership of the party has already clarified who the leader in the state will be, and the party will stick to that decision. The BJP is a party that sticks to its word and commitment and knows how to abide by the coalition dharma.

The exit polls predicted a win for the Mahagathbandhan (MGB). What do you think worked for the NDA, especially since there was anti incumbency, the coronavirus crisis, and the issue of the migrant workers?

The sample of the exit polls was all wrong. They failed to read the sentiment on the ground, or the dynamic playing out.

Politics cannot be defined by superficial or simplistic explanations. People also look at accountability, continuity, and the overall scenario. An election is not only about a few issues, there are multiple factors at play.

The friction between the NDA allies dominated the election. The LJP walked out blaming the JD(U) of misgovernance, and there was concern in JD(U) that the LJP had the tacit support of the BJP.

The LJP parted ways with us before the elections; they chose their path and went their way. On the other hand, the BJP and the JD(U) were committed to fighting the elections as a single unit. We contested with our full might; we had joint meetings, and we collaborated for the campaign. There was no friction.

Many observers feel that, with this election, the polity of Bihar has become bipolar — with BJP and the RJD the contenders.

It would not be right to say so. In Bihar, many smaller parties, whether they were with the MGB or the NDA, or even independents, have carved out a space for themselves; they have also won seats. There is a place for the smaller parties in Bihar’s polity.

Is the BJP the bigger partner in the alliance in Bihar?

The BJP will move ahead to fulfil PM Modi’s agenda of Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bihar. We will fulfil the promises made in the manifesto. We will fulfil the commitment of regional aspirations and national ambition.